<p> C3, Topic 3.7 Student activity</p><p>Name ...... Class ...... Date ...... </p><p>Carbon blogging</p><p>Specification references:  C2.2.6 Giant covalent structures  C2.3.1 Diamond  C2.3.2 Graphite</p><p>Aims In this activity, you will compare the properties of two carbon-based giant covalent structures–diamond and graphite. You will write an article in the style of a blog post, in which you discuss the properties and uses of giant covalent structures.</p><p>Learning outcomes After completing this activity, you should be able to:  understand that giant covalent substances such as diamond, graphite, and silicon dioxide are solids with high melting points  explain the properties of diamond and graphite in terms of their structure and bonding.</p><p>Setting the scene Diamond and graphite are both made up of carbon atoms linked together by covalent bonds, forming a giant covalent structure. They behave differently to each other because the carbon atoms are arranged in different ways.</p><p>Task Use your knowledge about giant covalent structures to fill in the table, comparing diamond to graphite. Then, write a summary about diamond and graphite in the form of a blog post. In this you should include:  the key properties and features of each structure  uses of each structure based on their properties  a link to at least one interesting web page in which giant covalent carbon structures are discussed.</p><p>© Oxford University Press 2016 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements This resource sheet may have been changed from the original. 1 C3, Topic 3.7 Student activity</p><p>Name ...... Class ...... Date ...... </p><p>Diamond Graphite Melting Point (high or low) Explanation</p><p>Hardness (hard or soft) Explanation</p><p>Electrical conductivity Explanation</p><p>Thermal conductivity Explanation</p><p>Main uses</p><p>Explanation</p><p>© Oxford University Press 2016 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements This resource sheet may have been changed from the original. 2 C3, Topic 3.7 Student activity</p><p>Name ...... Class ...... Date ...... </p><p>Student follow up Answer the following questions on giant covalent structures. 1 Complete the following sentences with the correct number. In diamond, each carbon atom is covalently bonded to ______atoms. In graphite, each carbon atom is covalently bonded to ______atoms. (2)</p><p>2 Silicon dioxide is another example of a giant covalent substance. a Draw a small section of silicon dioxide and label the silicon and oxygen atoms and a covalent bond. (3)</p><p> b Silicon dioxide and sodium chloride (salt) are two components of sand. Suggest why: i silicon dioxide has a high melting point, </p><p>(2)</p><p> ii salt has a high melting point, </p><p>(2)</p><p> iii molten salt conducts electricity, but molten silicon dioxide doesn’t.</p><p>(2)</p><p>© Oxford University Press 2016 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements This resource sheet may have been changed from the original. 3</p>