2.3.7

Giant Covalent Structures

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Giant Covalent Structures

Some non-metals form giant structures with atoms joined together by covalent bonds. These giant covalent structures have the following properties:

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No specific formula

  • Giant covalent structures don't have a specific formula because the structure can be any size.
  • In theory, they can continue forever - a diamond may have 50,000 or 1,000,000,000 carbon atoms.
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Very high melting points

  • The strong covalent bonds between atoms make them solids at room temperature.
  • High temperatures and significant energy are required to break the structure's covalent bonds.
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1 large molecule

  • Giant covalent structures exist as 1 large structure or molecule.
  • There are no intermolecular forces because there is only 1 molecule.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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