Giant Covalent Structures Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

Name three examples of substances with giant covalent structures.

Diamond, graphite (both forms of carbon) and silicon dioxide (silica).

Why do giant covalent structures have very high melting points?

All the atoms are linked by strong covalent bonds, and many of these bonds must be overcome, needing a lot of energy.

What state are substances with giant covalent structures in at room temperature?

Solids, because of their very high melting points.

True or false? Melting silicon dioxide only involves overcoming weak intermolecular forces.

False. There are no intermolecular forces to overcome; strong covalent bonds throughout the structure must be broken.

What features of a bonding and structure diagram show a giant covalent structure?

Many atoms all joined to their neighbours by covalent bonds in a lattice that continues beyond the diagram.