Giant Covalent Structures - Graphite
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 2.6.1
Graphite
Graphite is an allotrope (form) of carbon. Graphite has the following properties:
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Covalent bonds
- Each carbon atom in graphite is bonded to 3 other carbon atoms by strong covalent bonds.
- This creates a giant covalent structure.
Graphite is soft
- The carbon atoms form layers of hexagonal (6-sided) rings, with weak intermolecular forces keeping the layers together.
- The layers can easily slide over one another, so graphite is very soft.
- This makes graphite useful as a lubricant and as pencil ‘lead’.
Graphite conducts electricity
- Each carbon atom forms 3 bonds.
- This means that there is 1 delocalised electron from every carbon atom.
- This electron can move freely, so graphite is a good electrical conductor.
Test yourself on Giant Covalent Structures - Graphite
Graphite is...
Properties of graphite
How many other carbon atoms is each carbon atom in graphite bonded to?