Bonding & StructureTopic Summary
Topic Summary: Giant Covalent Structures
Part of Giant Covalent Structures — GCSE Chemistry
This topic summary covers Topic Summary: Giant Covalent Structures 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 11 of 11 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 11 of 11
Practice
20 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
Topic Summary: Giant Covalent Structures
Key Terms
- Giant covalent: atoms bonded in all directions — no molecules
- Allotrope: different structural form of same element
- Delocalised electron: free electron that enables conduction
- Fullerene: hollow carbon cage (C₆₀) — simple molecular
- Graphene: single layer of graphite
Must-Know Facts
- Diamond: 4 bonds per C, very hard, no conduction, transparent
- Graphite: 3 bonds per C, soft layers, conducts (free e⁻), black
- SiO₂: similar to diamond, hard, high MP, no conduction
- All giant covalent structures have very high melting points
- Graphite conducts because 1 free electron per C atom
- Graphite is soft because layers slide (weak intermolecular forces between layers)