AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
Students should be able to explain the properties of graphene in terms of…
Full specification wording
Graphene and fullerenes: Students should be able to explain the properties of graphene in terms of its structure and bonding.
To explain graphene's properties, start from its structure: it is a single layer of graphite, one atom thick, with carbon atoms covalently bonded to three neighbours in a hexagonal lattice.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 7
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
To explain graphene's properties, start from its structure: it is a single layer of graphite, one atom thick, with carbon atoms covalently bonded to three neighbours in a hexagonal lattice. Each carbon atom contributes one delocalised electron, so the layer contains mobile charge carriers and conducts electricity. The strong covalent bonds throughout the layer make graphene very strong, while the single-layer sheet is flexible because it is so thin. Being one atom thick gives a very large surface area per gram, which is useful in sensors and composites. The extended covalent network also gives a very high melting point, because melting would require breaking many strong covalent bonds. A good explanation always names the structural feature, then the property, then the use or consequence, for example delocalised electrons lead to conductivity, which suits electronic circuits.
What earns the marks
- Graphene is a single layer of graphite with carbon atoms covalently bonded to three others in a hexagonal lattice.
- Each carbon atom leaves one delocalised electron, so graphene conducts electricity.
- Strong covalent bonds within the layer make graphene very strong and give it a high melting point.
- The one-atom-thick sheet is flexible and has a very large surface area relative to its mass.
- Properties should be linked to structure and bonding, not stated as isolated facts.
- Uses such as electronics and composites follow from conductivity, strength, flexibility and surface area.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Listing properties without linking them to structure.
Put it right by writing a cause-and-effect chain from bonding to property to use.
Saying graphene melts easily because it is one atom thick.
Put it right by explaining that strong covalent bonds must be broken, so the melting point is very high.
Claiming graphene is soft because it is thin.
Put it right by distinguishing flexibility of a thin sheet from softness of a bulk material.
Exam tips
- Use the structure-property-use chain in each explanation to keep the answer focused.
- Refer to delocalised electrons when explaining electrical conductivity and to covalent bonds when explaining strength or melting point.
- If asked to compare, set out graphene and a named material side by side rather than describing them separately.
Try the lesson
The start of the Graphene and fullerenes: Students should be able to explain the properties of graphene in terms of its structure and bonding. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Graphene is a single layer of graphite. Which type of bonding holds the carbon atoms together within this layer?
Listen
To explain graphene's properties, start from its structure: it is a single layer of graphite, one atom thick, with carbon atoms covalently bonded to three neighbours in a hexagonal lattice. Each carbon atom contributes one delocalised electron, so the layer contains mobile charge carriers and conducts electricity. The strong covalent bonds throughout the layer make graphene very strong, while the single-layer sheet is flexible because it is so thin. Being one atom thick gives a very large surface area per gram, which is useful in sensors and composites. The extended covalent network also gives a very high melting point, because melting would require breaking many strong covalent bonds. A good explanation always names the structural feature, then the property, then the use or consequence, for example delocalised electrons lead to conductivity, which suits electronic circuits. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Graphene is a single layer of graphite with carbon atoms covalently bonded to three others in a hexagonal lattice. Each carbon atom leaves one delocalised electron, so graphene conducts electricity. Strong covalent bonds within the layer make graphene very strong and give it a high melting point. The one-atom-thick sheet is flexible and has a very large surface area relative to its mass. A common slip: Listing properties without linking them to structure. Instead, writing a cause-and-effect chain from bonding to property to use. Exam tip: Use the structure-property-use chain in each explanation to keep the answer focused.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Graphene and fullerenes: Students should be able to explain the properties of graphene in terms of its structure and bonding.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge