Starter quiz
- What does the term 'allotrope' mean in chemistry?
- a type of chemical reaction
- a different physical form in which an element can exist ✓
- a compound formed from two or more elements
- a mixture of two substances
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- Match the carbon allotrope to its primary use.
- diamond⇔cutting tools ✓
- graphite⇔lubricant ✓
- coal⇔fuel ✓
- Which statement correctly describes the bonding in graphite?
- Each atom forms four single bonds with other atoms.
- Each atom forms double bonds with three other atoms.
- Each atom forms three single bonds with other atoms and has one free electron. ✓
- Each carbon atom is bonded to four other atoms in a layered hexagonal structure.
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- Graphite is used as a lubricant because it is ...
- oily and wet.
- hard and durable.
- soft and slippery. ✓
- sticky and thick.
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- Why does graphite conduct electricity?
- it has free moving ions
- each carbon atom donates multiple electrons to a 'sea of electrons'
- it contains metallic bonds
- one electron from each carbon atom is delocalised across the structure ✓
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- Graphite exists as a layered structure of hexagonal rings of carbon atoms, each bonded to three other atoms. Between the layers there are weak ______ holding them together.
- forces of attraction ✓
- intermolecular forces
- covalent bonds
- ionic bonds
- metallic bonds
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Exit quiz
- What is graphene?
- a spherical fullerene
- a single layer of graphite ✓
- a type of diamond
- a nanotube
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- Which property is not associated with graphene?
- high electrical conductivity
- simple molecular structure ✓
- high strength
- flexible
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- Match the following terms with their correct descriptions.
- buckminsterfullerene⇔spherical fullerene composed of 60 carbon atoms ✓
- allotrope⇔different structural form of an element ✓
- nanotube⇔cylindrical fullerene known for its strength and conductivity ✓
- graphene⇔single layer of graphite ✓
- fullerene⇔molecular allotrope of carbon forming nanoparticles with hollow shapes ✓
- All carbon allotropes are giant covalent substances.
- True
- False ✓
- Arrange the following carbon allotropes in order of their tensile strength, from weakest to strongest.
- 1⇔spherical fullerenes
- 2⇔nanotubes
- 3⇔graphene
- A Buckminsterfullerene is a spherical fullerene of ______ carbon atoms.
- '60' ✓
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Graphene is a single layer of graphite, is very strong and conducts electricity.
- Fullerenes are molecules of carbon with hollow shapes.
- The structure of fullerenes is based on hexagonal rings of carbon atoms, or on carbon rings of five or seven atoms.
- A Buckminsterfullerene is a spherical fullerene of sixty carbon atoms (C₆₀).
- A carbon nanotube is a tube of graphene that is very long compared to its diameter and has a high tensile strength.
Common misconception
Students may think all carbon allotropes have giant covalent structures due to strong covalent bonds.
Emphasise that fullerenes and nanotubes, unlike graphene and diamond, have discrete molecular structures.
Keywords
Allotrope - A different structural form of an element, e.g. graphite and diamond are allotropes of carbon.
Graphene - An allotrope of carbon consisting of a sheet that is one-atom-thick. Each atom is covalently bonded to three others arranged in hexagonal rings.
Fullerene - A molecular allotrope of carbon. Each atom is covalently bonded to three others, forming nanoparticles with hollow spheres or tubes.
Buckminsterfullerene - A spherical fullerene composed of 60 carbon atoms (held together by covalent bonds). It is a very stable structure.
Nanotube - A cylindrical fullerene, essentially a tube of graphene. A nanoparticle known for its strength and electrical conductivity.