weak topics!!

• What are polymers made of?

  Long chains of repeating units
• How are small units arranged in a polymer?

  They are linked together to form a long molecule
• What type of bonds join the atoms in a polymer?

  Strong covalent bonds
• How do you find the molecular formula of a polymer?

  Write the formula of the repeating unit in brackets with 'n'
• What does the 'n' in the polymer formula represent?

  How many times the unit is repeated
• Why do most polymers exist as solids at room temperature?

  Stronger intermolecular forces require more energy to break
• How do the boiling points of polymers compare to ionic compounds?

  Polymers generally have lower boiling points
• What are giant covalent structures also known as?

  Macromolecules
• How are atoms bonded in giant covalent structures?

  All atoms are bonded by strong covalent bonds
• What is the melting and boiling point characteristic of giant covalent structures?

  They have very high melting and boiling points
• Why can't giant covalent structures conduct electricity?

  They don’t contain charged particles
• How does each carbon atom bond in diamond?

  Each carbon forms four covalent bonds
• What structure does graphite have?

  Layers of hexagons with weak interlayer bonds
• Why is graphite soft and slippery?

  Weak bonds between layers allow movement
• What allows graphite to conduct electricity?

  Delocalised electrons can move freely
• What is graphene?

  A sheet of carbon atoms one atom thick
• What makes graphene strong and light?

  The network of covalent bonds
• How does graphene conduct electricity?

  It contains delocalised electrons throughout
• What are fullerenes?

  Molecules of carbon shaped like tubes or balls
• What is the structure of fullerenes?

  Carbon atoms arranged in hexagons, pentagons, and heptagons
• What is buckminsterfullerene?

  A hollow sphere with 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons
• How can fullerenes be used in drug delivery?

  They can cage other molecules inside
• Why are fullerenes considered great industrial catalysts?

  They have a huge surface area for reactions
• What are nanotubes?

  Tiny carbon cylinders with high length-to-diameter ratio
• What properties do nanotubes have?

  They conduct electricity and have high tensile strength
• What is nanotechnology?

  Technology using small particles like nanotubes
• How can nanotubes be used in materials?

  To strengthen materials without adding weight