Types of substance

Explain the classification of elements and compounds into ionic, simple molecular (covalent), giant covalent, and metallic substances.

Explain how the structure and bonding of these substances dictate their physical properties, including relative melting and boiling points, solubility in water, and electrical conductivity.

Explain the properties of ionic compounds, specifically their high melting and boiling points due to strong forces between ions, and their electrical conductivity behaviour as solids, liquids, and aqueous solutions.

Explain the properties of typical simple molecular covalent compounds, including their low melting and boiling points due to weak intermolecular forces, and their poor electrical conductivity.

Understand that graphite and diamond are distinct forms of carbon and represent examples of giant covalent substances.

Describe the internal atomic structures of both graphite and diamond.

Explain how the structure and bonding of graphite make it suitable for use as electrodes and lubricants, while diamond's structure makes it ideal for cutting tools.

Explain the properties of fullerenes, including C60 and graphene, based on their distinct structures and chemical bonding.

Describe simple polymers, using poly(ethene) as an example, as large molecules consisting of long chains of carbon atoms.

Explain the physical properties of metals, such as malleability and high electrical conductivity, in terms of their structure.

Describe the limitations of various molecular representations and models, including dot and cross diagrams, ball and stick models, and two- and three-dimensional representations.

Describe most metals as shiny solids with high melting points, high density, and good electrical conductivity, contrasting them with non-metals which typically have low boiling points and poor electrical conductivity.