AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
Students should be able to: recognise graphene and fullerenes from…
Full specification wording
Graphene and fullerenes: Students should be able to: recognise graphene and fullerenes from diagrams and descriptions of their bonding and structure give examples of the uses of fullerenes, including carbon nanotubes.
This practical skill statement combines identification with application.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 7 of 7
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This practical skill statement combines identification with application. Recognising graphene and fullerenes means interpreting a diagram or written description and using structural clues: graphene is a single flat layer of hexagonal carbon rings one atom thick, with each carbon bonded to three others; spherical fullerenes are closed cages of hexagons and five-membered rings; nanotubes are hollow cylinders with a very high length to diameter ratio. Answers should name the structure, state the evidence from the diagram or description, and then connect the structure to a use.
What earns the marks
- Graphene is identified as a single layer of hexagonal carbon rings one atom thick, with each carbon bonded to three others.
- Spherical fullerenes are identified as closed cages built from hexagonal rings together with five-membered rings.
- Carbon nanotubes are identified as hollow cylinders of hexagonal carbon rings with a very high length to diameter ratio.
- Uses of fullerenes include drug delivery, catalysts and lubricants in nanotechnology.
- Uses of carbon nanotubes include nanoscale wires and components in electronics and reinforcement in strong, lightweight composite materials.
- Identification should be justified by referring to features in the diagram or description, such as ring shape, layer thickness or cylindrical form.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating graphene and graphite as identical.
Put it right by stating that graphene is a single layer one atom thick, whereas graphite is many such layers stacked together.
Identifying any carbon cage as a nanotube.
Put it right by checking whether the structure is a hollow cylinder with a high length to diameter ratio rather than a closed ball.
Giving uses of fullerenes without naming the property that enables them.
Put it right by adding the relevant property, such as conductivity or high tensile strength.
Exam tips
- Quote the structural feature you used to identify the substance, for example 'the diagram shows a single flat layer of hexagons, so it is graphene'.
- When asked for uses, include carbon nanotubes explicitly and link each use to a property.
- Use precise vocabulary such as 'single layer', 'closed cage', 'hollow cylinder' and 'length to diameter ratio' rather than general descriptions.
Try the lesson
The start of the Graphene and fullerenes: Students should be able to: recognise graphene and fullerenes from diagrams and descriptions of their bonding and structure give examples of the uses of fullerenes, including carbon nanotubes. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A diagram shows a single flat layer of carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal rings. Which substance is shown?
Listen
This practical skill statement combines identification with application. Recognising graphene and fullerenes means interpreting a diagram or written description and using structural clues: graphene is a single flat layer of hexagonal carbon rings one atom thick, with each carbon bonded to three others; spherical fullerenes are closed cages of hexagons and five-membered rings; nanotubes are hollow cylinders with a very high length to diameter ratio. Answers should name the structure, state the evidence from the diagram or description, and then connect the structure to a use. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Graphene is identified as a single layer of hexagonal carbon rings one atom thick, with each carbon bonded to three others. Spherical fullerenes are identified as closed cages built from hexagonal rings together with five-membered rings. Carbon nanotubes are identified as hollow cylinders of hexagonal carbon rings with a very high length to diameter ratio. Uses of fullerenes include drug delivery, catalysts and lubricants in nanotechnology. A common slip: Treating graphene and graphite as identical. Instead, stating that graphene is a single layer one atom thick, whereas graphite is many such layers stacked together. Exam tip: Quote the structural feature you used to identify the substance, for example 'the diagram shows a single flat layer of hexagons, so it is graphene'.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Graphene
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Spherical fullerenes
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Carbon nanotubes
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Graphene
- A single flat layer of hexagonal carbon rings one atom thick, with each carbon bonded to three others.
- Spherical fullerenes
- Closed cages built from hexagonal rings together with five-membered rings.
- Carbon nanotubes
- Hollow cylinders of hexagonal carbon rings with a very high length to diameter ratio.
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: recognise graphene and fullerenes from diagrams and descriptions of their bonding and structure give examples of the uses of fullerenes, including carbon nanotubes.
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