Giant covalent structures
What Giant covalent structures means in Chemistry GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Giant covalent structures
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Reference: AQA
Graphite is one of these, in which each carbon atom forms three covalent bonds to three other carbon atoms, producing layers of hexagonal rings.
Structures such as diamond, graphite and silicon dioxide, in which atoms are held in a continuous network by covalent bonds.
Graphite is a giant covalent structure of carbon, in which each carbon atom bonds covalently to three other carbon atoms.
A continuous network of atoms joined by covalent bonds throughout the whole substance, not separate small molecules.
Structures such as SiO₂ and diamond/graphite (C) that have simple empirical formulas but are not small molecules.
A network of atoms joined by covalent bonds throughout the whole substance.
Topics that use Giant covalent structures
- Covalent bonding (AQA GCSE)
- Giant covalent structures (AQA GCSE)
- Graphite (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Covalent bonding
- Addition polymerisation
- Bond strength and energy transfer
- Covalent bonds in the network
- Delocalised electrons
- Diamond
- Dot and cross diagrams
- Electrical conductivity
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