Bonding & StructureDefinitions

Key Definitions

Part of Giant Covalent StructuresGCSE Chemistry

This definitions covers Key Definitions within Giant Covalent Structures for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Giant Covalent Structures in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 5 of 11 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.

Topic position

Section 5 of 11

Practice

20 questions

Recall

20 flashcards

📖 Key Definitions

Giant covalent structure: A substance in which atoms are connected by covalent bonds extending in all directions throughout the solid, with no separate molecules and no fixed boundary.

Allotrope: A different structural form of the same element — diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon.

Delocalised electron: An electron that is not fixed to any particular atom but can move freely through the structure, enabling electrical conduction.

Fullerene: A molecular form of carbon forming a hollow cage structure (e.g., C₆₀ — buckminsterfullerene); can be used to deliver drug molecules into the body.

Graphene: A single layer of graphite — a two-dimensional sheet of carbon atoms in a hexagonal arrangement; extremely strong and conducts electricity.

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Practice Questions for Giant Covalent Structures

Why do giant covalent structures have very high melting points?

  • A. They contain ionic bonds that are difficult to break
  • B. They contain weak forces between separate molecules
  • C. They contain delocalised electrons that require a lot of energy to remove
  • D. They contain many strong covalent bonds that require a lot of energy to break
1 markfoundation

Explain why graphite conducts electricity but diamond does not.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is graphene?
A single layer of graphite — extremely strong, conducts electricity
What are fullerenes?
Hollow carbon cages (like C₆₀) — used to deliver drugs in medicine

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