07.10.

2014
Giant Covalent Structures
-They are also called MACROMOLECULES.
-They have a very large number of atoms bonded together by strong
covalent bonds.
-The number of atoms is not fixed or not variable.
Two main giant covalent structures
1) Diamond
2) Graphite
These are both different forms of carbon or allotropes.
1) Diamond
Tetrahedral in shape
-A
form of carbon
Each diamond consists of millions of carbon atoms
bonded into a single giant structure.
It is very hard.
-In diamond each carbon atom is bonded covalently
to
four other carbon atoms by strong covalent bonds.
-There are many carbon atoms, which lead to the formation of a three
dimensional giant covalent structure.
-It is the hardest substance known to man.
Properties of Diamond:
-very hard
*carbon atoms are bonded by very many strong covalent bonds.
-Very high melting and boiling points
*has very many strong covalent bonds that require a lot of energy to
break.
-it doesnt conduct electricity.
*There are no free or delocalised electrons.
-It is not soluble in any solvent.
*has very many strong covalent bonds that require a lot of energy to
break.
Uses of Diamond:
-They are very hard so they can be used in drills.

2) Graphite

Hexagonal
layer

Weak intermolecular
forces

-Each carbon is bonded to 3 other carbon atoms with strong covalent

bonds to form hexagonal layers.
-Layers are kept together by weak intermolecular forces.
Properties of Graphite:
-Pure graphite is a soft material with a slimy feel.
*The forces holding the atoms together in each layer are very strong
but the attractions between the layers are much weaker.
-Graphite has a high subliming point and is insoluble in any solvent.
*to melt or dissolve graphite you dont just have to break the layers
apart but youd have to break up the whole structure, including the
strong covalent bonds, which would require a lot of energy.
-Graphite is less dense than diamond.
*This is because the layers in graphite are relatively far apart.
-Graphite conducts electricity.
*Each carbon atom in graphite is joined to three others. So each
carbon atom uses three of its electrons for covalent bonding but the
fourth one is free to move throughout the whole layer. The movement
of these free electrons allows graphite to conduct electricity.
Uses of graphite:
-Graphite is used as a dry, lubricant in industries. (It doesnt burn like
oil)
-Mixed with clay to form pencil leads.

Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

-Silicon dioxide is tetrahedral in shape just like diamond.

-It is a GIANT covalent structure.
-It is SAND.
-The ratio of Si:O is 2:4 Si204 but the simplest ratio is SiO2 .
-Like diamond the silicon and oxygen are bonded together by strong,
covalent bonds to form a giant covalent structure with a 3-D
tetrahedral shape.
Properties of Silicon dioxide:
-very high melting point
*has very many strong covalent bonds that require a lot of energy to
break.
-Its insoluble in any solvent.
-High density
-Hard
*Strong covalent bonds between atoms.
-Does not conduct electricity.
*No delocalised electrons.
Uses of silicon dioxide:
-To extinguish fires.
-Inner lining of furnaces (e.g. blast furnaces)

Metallic bonding

-METALLIC BONDING IS THE STRONG ELECTROSTATIC ATTRACTION

BETWEEN POSITIVE IONS AND A SEA OF DELOCALISED ELECTRONS.
Properties of giant Metallic Structures:
-Metals tend to be strong with high melting and boiling points.
*powerful electrostatic attractions are involved (between delocalised
electrons and positive ions)
-Conduct electricity
*delocalised electrons free to move throughout structure.
-good conductors of heat
*heat energy is picked up by mobile electrons and transferred
throughout the structure.
-Elastic
*When a metal is subjected to a small force it will stretch and then
return to its original shape when the force is released.
-Easy to shape( Malleable and ductile)
*Metals regular packing makes it simple for the atoms to slide over
each other.
*****Group 2 metals would be stronger than group 1 and would have
higher melting points. In group 2 the ions are doubly charged and there
are double the number of delocalised electrons this creates a much
stronger electrostatic attraction.

Giant Ionic Structures

-An ionic bond is the strong electrostatic attraction between anions and
cations.
Properties of Giant Ionic Structures:
-very high melting points and boiling points.
*Strong electrostatic attractions between oppositely charged ions that
would require a lot of energy to break.
-tend to be crystalline
*The ions in the lattice are arranged regularly.
-tend to be brittle
*any small distortion of a crystal will bring ions of the same charges
alongside each other and like charges repel so the crystal splits.
-soluble in water
*electrons in the bonds are attracted to the oxygen in water. This
makes the oxygen slightly negative and the hydrogen slightly positive.
This electrical distortion makes water a polar molecule.
-insoluble in organic substances
*Molecules in organic substances contain much less electrical
distortion, they are much less polar. There is not enough attraction
between these molecules and the ions to break the strong forces
holding the lattice together.