AQA GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science

Topic Questions

2.3 Structure & Bonding of Carbon

1a4 marks

This question is about allotropes of carbon. 

Match the name of the substance to its structure.

You must only draw one line from each substance. 

x-8QoXU-_carbon-match-up-

1b1 mark

What type of bonding is found in the structures in part (a)?

Tick (one box.

 Ionic   Covalent   Metallic  
1c1 mark

Which substance cannot conduct electricity?

Tick () one box.

 Diamond  
 Buckminsterfullerene  
 Graphite  
 Nanotubes  
1d2 marks

Complete the sentence to describe and explain the melting points of these substances. 

Their melting points are ____________________ due to strong covalent bonds needing lots of ___________________ to break. 

Did this page help you?

2a4 marks

This question is about the bonding and structure of graphite shown in Figure 1. 

Figure 1

graphite


Complete the sentences about graphite.

Graphite is made from

chlorine.

carbon.

oxygen.

Graphite is slippery and is therefore used as a

lubricant.

catalyst.

fuel.

Graphite can conduct electricity because it has delocalised

protons.

neutrons.

electrons.

In graphite, each carbon is bonded to

two

three

four

other atoms.

2b2 marks

Use Figure 1 to explain why graphite is soft and slippery.

2c1 mark

Figure 2 compares the structure of graphene with graphite.

Figure 2
2-3-graphene-and-graphite


What is graphene?

2d2 marks

What are the uses of graphene?

Tick () two boxes.

 Composites  
 Solvents  
 To produce polymers  
 Electronics  

Did this page help you?

3a1 mark

This question is about fullerenes. 

The first fullerene to be discovered was Buckminsterfullerene, the structure of which is shown in Figure1.

Figure 1

bucky-balls

What is the formula of Buckminsterfullerene?

3b3 marks

What properties does Buckminsterfullerene have?

Tick (three boxes.

 Strong metallic bonds  
 A hollow shape   
 Each carbon is bonded to four other carbon atoms  
 High melting point  
 Strong covalent bonds  
 Poor conductor of electricity  
3c2 marks

Give two uses of fullerenes.

Did this page help you?

4a1 mark

Diamond is made from the element, carbon.

Why is carbon an element?

4b2 marks

Give two uses of diamond.

4c1 mark

Diamond has covalent bonds between atoms.

What happens to electrons in a covalent bond?

Tick () one box.

They are transferred from one atom to another   
They are shared between atoms  
They are lost from one atom and become delocalised  
4d2 marks

Suggest two properties of diamond.

Did this page help you?

5a1 mark

This question is about nanotubes. 

Nanotubes are made from carbon atoms.

Give the electronic configuration of a carbon atom. 

5b2 marks

Draw one line from the property of the carbon nanotubes with the correct explanation. 

ms6384wz_carbon-nanotubes-match-up
5c1 mark

Carbon nanotubes are an example of a fullerene.

Name the first fullerene that was discovered. 

5d2 marks

Suggest two reasons why carbon nanotubes can be used to make badminton rackets.

Did this page help you?

1a2 marks

This question is about the bonding and structure of diamond.

State two uses of diamonds.

1b3 marks

Figure 1 shows the outer electron shells of carbon atoms in a lattice structure of diamond.

Using dots, add electrons to the diagram to represent the bonding arrangement.

Figure 1

aqa-gcse-2-3h-tq1b-diamond-dot-and-cross-diagram

1c4 marks

Explain why diamond has a high melting point.

Did this page help you?

2a2 marks

This question is about allotropes of carbon.

Graphite and graphene are both allotropes of carbon. 

What is meant by an allotrope? 

2b4 marks

The structures of graphite and graphene are shown in Figure 1. 

Figure 1aqa-gcse-2-3h-tq2b-graphene-and-graphite

Compare graphite and graphene in terms of their bonding and structure.

2c3 marks

Explain why graphite can be used as a lubricant.

2d2 marks

Diamond is another allotrope of carbon.

Give two properties that are different to that of graphite.

Did this page help you?

3a6 marks

This question is about fullerenes. 

Fullerenes can form nanotubes which consist of tiny carbon cylinders. 

A carbon nanotube is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

aqa-gcse-2-3-q5a-carbon-nanotube

Explain the properties of carbon nanotubes.

Answer in terms of structure and bonding.

3b2 marks

Carbon can react with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. 

Complete the dot and cross diagram in Figure 2 to show the bonding in this molecule.

Show the outer electrons only. 

Figure 2

aqa-gcse-2-3h-tq3b-blank-dot-and-cross-diagram-carbon-dioxide

3c2 marks

Explain why carbon dioxide cannot conduct electricity. 

Did this page help you?

4a2 marks

This question is about the properties and bonding in allotropes of carbon. 

Substance X is an allotrope of carbon and has the following properties and uses:

  • It is strong
  • It is a good conductor or electricity
  • It is used to overlay monitor screens to make them touchscreen

Identify substance X.

Explain your answer.

4b2 marks

Buckminsterfullerene is another allotrope of carbon.

Explain why this substance can be used as a lubricant. 

4c3 marks

Fullerenes are also used as catalysts and in electronics.

Suggest why they can be used for these applications.

   

catalysts: ____________________________________________ (1)


   electronics: ___________________________________________(2).

4d2 marks

Explain how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction.

Did this page help you?

1a2 marks

Figure 1 shows the structure of the diamond.

Figure 1

diamond-structure

Diamond melts at temperatures above 4,800 oC. 

Explain why its melting point is so high.

1b3 marks

Diamond is an extremely hard substance. 

Explain why, in terms of its bonding and structure.

Did this page help you?

2a1 mark

Graphite and diamond are different physical forms of the element carbon and have different properties. 

Their structures are shown in Figure 1 below.

  Figure 1

graphite-and-diamond-structure

State the term used to describe elements which can have different physical forms while being in the same state.

2b4 marks

Graphite is a much softer material than diamond.

Explain why.

2c4 marks

Graphite is an electrical conductor but diamond is not.

Explain why.

Did this page help you?

3a3 marks

Using your knowledge of the structure and bonding in graphite, justify its use in the “lead” filling in pencils.

3b3 marks

Using your knowledge of the structure and bonding in graphite, justify its use as electrodes in electrolysis.

Did this page help you?

4a2 marks

Graphene is a substance made from carbon which consists of a single layer of graphite just one atom thick. 

Scientists have recently developed a method to produce large sheets of a substance called graphene.

State two properties of graphene.

4b3 marks

Figure 1 below shows the structure of graphene.

Figure 1

2-3-structure--bonding-of-carbon-medium-q4b

Use your knowledge of the bonding in graphene and Figure 1 to help you explain why graphene is such a strong material.

4c2 marks

Use your knowledge of the bonding in graphene and Figure 1 to help you explain how graphene is able to conduct electricity.

Did this page help you?

5a2 marks

A typical passenger jet contains many kilometres of electrical wiring made from copper.

This increases the mass of the aeroplane and consequently the fuel consumption.

Research is being carried out into replacing the copper wiring with much lighter carbon nanotubes.

Figure 1 shows the structure of a carbon nanotube.

Figure 1

aqa-gcse-2-3-q5a-carbon-nanotube

Suggest a method of fabricating carbon nanotubes.

5b2 marks

Carbon is a non-metal. 

Explain how the nanotube is able to conduct electricity.

5c2 marks

Suggest a reason why carbon nanotubes are used as lubricants.

Did this page help you?

6a3 marks

Buckminsterfullerene (also known as buckyballs) was the first fullerene to be discovered. 

The structure of buckminsterfullerene is shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1

aqa-gcse-2-3-q6a-buckminster-fullerene

State three uses of fullerenes (other than lubricants).

6b2 marks

Using Figure 1 above to help you, describe the bonding and structure in Buckminsterfullerene.

6c2 marks

Buckminsterfullerene is a slippery substance with a low melting point. Explain these observations.

Did this page help you?