macromolecular

• covalently bonded into a giant lattice structure
• each atom has multiple covalent bonds which are very strong, giving the substance a very high melting point
• the strength of the covalent lattice makes macromolecular substances rigid
• diamond is a macromolecular structure
• diamond is made up of carbon atoms each bonded to 4 further carbon atoms
• this bonding makes diamond one of the hardest, strongest materials known
• graphite a macromolecular structure made of carbon atoms
• in graphite, each carbon atom is bonded to 3 others in flat sheets
• the electrons not used in bonding in graphite are released as free electrons which move between layers
• the free electrons mean it can conduct electricity