Loading…
Loading…
GCSE Chemistry · key term
A single, one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms joined in a hexagonal pattern.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.2.3.3 · Paper 1
A single, one-atom-thick layer of graphite in which carbon atoms form a sheet of hexagonal rings.
Revise: Graphene and FullerenesGraphene is just one of those layers, separated from the others: a sheet only one atom thick. Within the sheet, each carbon atom forms strong covalent bonds with three neighbours.
Specification 1.38 · Paper 1, Paper 2
A one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms joined in a hexagonal network.
Revise: Fullerenes and GrapheneIn graphene, they form a continuous sheet. The carbon–carbon covalent bonds are strong in both, but the overall shape and the way electrons can move explain why the materials behave differently.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
Revise: Fullerenes and grapheneGraphene and fullerenes contain only carbon atoms. Their different properties come from how those atoms are arranged and bonded. A covalent bond is a strong bond formed by a shared pair of electrons.
In a structure diagram, distinguish a flat, one-atom-thick graphene sheet from a hollow spherical fullerene or a long, hollow nanotube.
Link each property to a structural feature: for example, graphene conducts electricity because electrons can move across its sheet.
Distinguish a single C₆₀ molecule from graphene’s continuous sheet of bonded carbon atoms.
Create a free account to read GCSE Chemistry revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.