Giant Covalent Structure

• Giant structure


  A three-dimensional network of atoms or ions
• Lattice


  Regular arrangement of particles.

  
• Giant covalent structure


  A huge 3D network of covalently bonded atoms

  
• Bonding in giant covalent structures

  Covalent bonding
• Covalent bond


  A shared pair of electrons

  
• States of giant covalent substances at room temperature

  Solid
• Melting points of giant covalent substances

  Very high
• Bonds broken when giant covalent structures are melted

  Covalent bonds
• Examples of giant covalent structures

  Diamond, graphite, silicon dioxide

  
• Reason for giant covalent structure's high melting point


  Many strong covalent bonds require lots of energy to break
• Solubility of giant covalent substances

  Insoluble
• Formula of silicon dioxide

  SiO2

  
• Uses of diamond


  Cutting tools and jewellery
• Uses of graphite


  Pencil leads, lubricants
• Number of bonds between atoms in graphite

  3
• Properties of diamond


  Translucent, Hard, High melting point, Does not conduct electricity
• Properties of graphite


  Soft, Slippery, good conductor of heat and electricity
• Reason graphite is soft

  Weak forces between layers which can slide over each other.
• Reason graphite conducts electricity

  One spare electron is delocalised and can carry charge through the layers