AQA · GCSE · Combined Science

    Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018

    Graphene is a single layer of graphite and has properties that make it…

    Full specification wording

    Graphene and fullerenes: Graphene is a single layer of graphite and has properties that make it useful in electronics and composites.

    Graphene is a single layer of graphite, one atom thick, in which carbon atoms are arranged in a hexagonal lattice.

    Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 1 of 6

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Graphene is a single layer of graphite, one atom thick, in which carbon atoms are arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Each carbon atom forms three covalent bonds, leaving delocalised electrons that can move across the layer. This makes graphene an excellent conductor of electricity and thermal energy, and it is also very strong and flexible. These properties make it useful in electronics, for example in fast transistors, touchscreens and conductive films, and in composites, where it is added to materials such as plastics to increase strength and conductivity without adding much mass. A useful method is to link each property to an application: high electrical conductivity leads to electronics, and high strength with low mass leads to composite materials.

    What earns the marks

    • Graphene is a single layer of graphite, one atom thick.
    • Delocalised electrons are present and can move across the layer, so graphene conducts electricity well.
    • Graphene is very strong and flexible, which makes it useful in composites.
    • Its high electrical conductivity and nanoscale thickness make it useful in electronics.
    • Graphene has a very large surface area per unit mass, which can be useful in composite materials and sensors.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Describing graphene as many layers of graphite.

      Put it right by stating that graphene is a single layer, one atom thick.

    • Saying graphene is an electrical insulator because it is covalent.

      Put it right by explaining that delocalised electrons make it a good conductor.

    • Confusing graphene with a fullerene such as buckminsterfullerene.

      Put it right by noting that graphene is a flat single layer, while fullerenes are hollow molecular cages.

    Exam tips

    • Always state that graphene is one layer of graphite before describing its properties.
    • Link each property to a named use, for example high conductivity to electronics and high strength to composites.
    • Use comparative language such as very strong, flexible and conductive to make the link between structure and application clear.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Graphene and fullerenes: Graphene is a single layer of graphite and has properties that make it useful in electronics and composites. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which statement describes the structure of graphene?

    Listen

    Graphene is a single layer of graphite, one atom thick, in which carbon atoms are arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Each carbon atom forms three covalent bonds, leaving delocalised electrons that can move across the layer. This makes graphene an excellent conductor of electricity and thermal energy, and it is also very strong and flexible. These properties make it useful in electronics, for example in fast transistors, touchscreens and conductive films, and in composites, where it is added to materials such as plastics to increase strength and conductivity without adding much mass. A useful method is to link each property to an application: high electrical conductivity leads to electronics, and high strength with low mass leads to composite materials. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Graphene is a single layer of graphite, one atom thick. Delocalised electrons are present and can move across the layer, so graphene conducts electricity well. Graphene is very strong and flexible, which makes it useful in composites. Its high electrical conductivity and nanoscale thickness make it useful in electronics. A common slip: Describing graphene as many layers of graphite. Instead, stating that graphene is a single layer, one atom thick. Exam tip: Always state that graphene is one layer of graphite before describing its properties.

    See it

    A flowchart running from top to bottom. The first box states that graphene is a single layer of graphite, one atom thick, and points to a second box saying carbon atoms are in a hexagonal lattice. That box points to a third box saying each carbon atom is bonded to three others, which points to a fourth box saying delocalised electrons can move across the layer. The fourth box points to a fifth box saying it conducts electricity well, which points to a sixth box saying it is useful in electronics. The second box also points to a seventh box saying it is very strong and flexible, which points to an eighth box saying it is useful in composites.
    It shows how the structure of graphene leads to its properties and then to its uses in electronics and composites.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A flowchart running from top to bottom. The first box states that graphene is a single layer of graphite, one atom thick, and points to a second box saying carbon atoms are in a hexagonal lattice. That box points to a third box saying each carbon atom is bonded to three others, which points to a fourth box saying delocalised electrons can move across the layer. The fourth box points to a fifth box saying it conducts electricity well, which points to a sixth box saying it is useful in electronics. The second box also points to a seventh box saying it is very strong and flexible, which points to an eighth box saying it is useful in composites.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

    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.

    Carry on with the full lesson

    A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge

    Test your understanding of Graphene and fullerenes: Graphene is a single layer of graphite and has properties that make it useful in electronics and composites.

    Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.

    Take topic quiz

    A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge

    Start free

    Cookies on MasteryMind

    Essential cookies keep you signed in.

    Analytics and advertising cookies stay off unless you accept.

    Read our Privacy Policy.