AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), Higher tier · Bonding, structure and the properties of matter › Structure and bonding of carbon
Practise Graphene and fullerenes. 12 exam-style questions on this subtopic, at up to four difficulty levels, with full mark schemes and a progress tracker. Free, no account needed.
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Graphene and fullerenes are forms of carbon. Describe the shape of a Buckminsterfullerene molecule.
a hollow sphere (ball)
Fullerenes are molecules of carbon atoms with hollow shapes. Give two uses of fullerenes.
e.g. delivering drugs into the body; lubricants
Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical fullerenes. A carbon nanotube has a diameter of 1.5 nm and a length of 0.30 mm. 1 mm = 1 × 106 nm Give the length of the nanotube in nanometres.
3.0 × 105 nm
Sample questions
Written for this site in the style of AQA exam questions. They are not taken from real past papers.
Question 1Easy4 marks
Graphene and fullerenes are forms of carbon.
(a) What is graphene? Tick (✓) one box.[1]
A single layer of graphite
A form of diamond
A polymer of carbon and hydrogen
A compound of carbon and oxygen
(b) What is the molecular formula of Buckminsterfullerene? Tick (✓) one box.[1]
C6
C12
C60
C600
(c) Describe the shape of a Buckminsterfullerene molecule.[1]
(d) Give one use of carbon nanotubes.[1]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: A single layer of graphite
(b)Answer: C60
(c)Answer: a hollow sphere (ball)
(hollow) sphere / spherical / ball
(d)Answer: e.g. reinforcing materials such as tennis rackets
Graphene is a single layer of graphite. It is only one atom thick.
(a) Graphene is useful in electronics. Explain why, in terms of its structure and bonding.[2]
(b) Graphene is added to other materials to make strong composites. Explain why graphene is very strong.[2]
(c) Graphite is soft and slippery, but graphene is not. Suggest why.[2]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: Each carbon atom forms three covalent bonds, so one electron from each atom is delocalised. The delocalised electrons can move through the layer, so graphene conducts electricity.
each carbon atom forms three covalent bonds, so one electron from each carbon atom is delocalised
the delocalised electrons can move through the layer, so graphene conducts electricity
(b)Answer: Each carbon atom is joined to three others by strong covalent bonds in a continuous hexagonal network, so a lot of force is needed to break it.
each carbon atom is joined to three others by strong covalent bonds
in a continuous / giant hexagonal network (so many bonds would have to break)
(c)Answer: In graphite the layers are held together only by weak forces, so they slide over each other. Graphene is a single layer, so there are no layers to slide.
in graphite, the layers are held together only by weak forces / there are no covalent bonds between the layers, so the layers slide over each other
graphene is a single layer, so there are no layers to slide over each other
Question 3Hard7 marks
Buckminsterfullerene, C60, is a molecule made of 60 carbon atoms. Each carbon atom is bonded to three other carbon atoms. Solid C60 turns into a gas at a much lower temperature than diamond or graphite.
(a) Explain why solid C60 turns into a gas at a much lower temperature than diamond.[3]
(b) Solid C60 is soft. Suggest why C60 can be used as a lubricant.[1]
(c) Graphite conducts electricity well, but solid C60 is a poor conductor, even though each carbon atom forms three bonds in both substances. Suggest why.[2]
(d) Suggest why fullerene molecules such as C60 can be used to deliver drugs into the body.[1]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: C60 is made of separate molecules, so only weak intermolecular forces are overcome; in diamond many strong covalent bonds must be broken.
C60 is made of (separate) molecules
only the weak intermolecular forces between molecules are overcome (the covalent bonds do not break)
in diamond many strong covalent bonds must be broken, which needs much more energy
(b)Answer: The spherical molecules can roll or slide over each other because the forces between them are weak.
the (spherical) molecules can roll / slide over each other (weak forces between molecules)
(c)Answer: In C60 the delocalised electrons are confined to each molecule; they cannot move from one molecule to the next, so charge cannot flow through the solid.
in C60 the delocalised electrons stay within each molecule
they cannot move from one molecule to another (so charge cannot flow through the solid)
(d)Answer: Drug molecules can be carried inside the hollow cage.
drug molecules can be carried inside the hollow molecule / cage