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.
This definitions covers Key Definitions within Giant Covalent Structures for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Giant Covalent Structures in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 21 exam-style questions and 21 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 6 of 12 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
Practice questions for Giant Covalent Structures
Why do giant covalent structures have very high melting points?
Explain why graphite conducts electricity but diamond does not.