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Structure and bonding of carbon key terms

Study Structure and bonding of carbon with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.

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key terms

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Topic

Structure and bonding of carbon

AqaGcseChemistryBonding, structure, and the properties of matter

Key terms

  • diamond

    In Diamond, diamond means a giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to describe diamond as a giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms. Use diamond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • giant covalent structure

    A large network of atoms bonded together by covalent bonds, exemplified by diamond.

  • Covalent bond

    In Diamond, Covalent bond means a strong bond formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to explain that each carbon atom in diamond forms four covalent bonds. Use Covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • Diamond

    A giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms, where each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds.

  • giant covalent structure

    A structure where atoms are bonded by covalent bonds in a continuous network, resulting in high hardness and melting points.

  • covalent bonds

    Strong bonds formed when atoms share pairs of electrons, contributing to the stability and properties of substances like diamond.

  • high melting point

    The temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid, indicating strong bonding forces in the material.

  • giant covalent structure

    A large network of atoms bonded together by covalent bonds, resulting in strong materials like diamond.

  • diamond

    A giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms, where each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds.

  • electrical conductivity

    The ability of a material to conduct electricity, which diamond lacks due to the absence of free-moving charged particles.

  • Graphite

    In Graphite, Graphite means a giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms arranged in layers of hexagonal rings. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to describe graphite as a giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms. Use Graphite only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • Giant covalent structure

    A large network of atoms bonded together by covalent bonds, resulting in strong materials like graphite.

  • Graphite

    A giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms where each carbon atom forms three covalent bonds.

  • Covalent bond

    In Graphite, Covalent bond means a chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to explain that each carbon atom in graphite forms three covalent bonds. Use Covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • Graphite

    A giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms arranged in layers of hexagonal rings with no covalent bonds between the layers.

  • Hexagonal rings

    The arrangement of carbon atoms in graphite that forms layers, contributing to its unique properties.

  • delocalised electron

    An electron that is not associated with a single atom or bond and can move freely within a structure, such as in graphite.

  • graphite

    A giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms, where each carbon atom forms three covalent bonds and has layers of hexagonal rings.

  • Graphite

    A giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms, where each carbon atom forms three covalent bonds and has one delocalised electron.

  • Delocalised electrons

    Electrons in graphite that are free to move between layers, allowing it to conduct electricity.

  • delocalised electrons

    Electrons that are not associated with a single atom or bond and can move freely within a structure, contributing to electrical conductivity.

  • graphite

    A giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms arranged in layers of hexagonal rings, with delocalised electrons between the layers.

  • Graphite

    A giant covalent structure made from carbon atoms, consisting of layers of hexagonal rings with delocalised electrons.

  • Delocalised electrons

    Electrons that are not bound to a specific atom and can move freely, contributing to the electrical conductivity of materials like graphite.

  • Graphene

    A single layer of graphite consisting of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice.

  • Giant covalent structure

    A large structure where atoms are bonded together by covalent bonds in a continuous network.

  • Graphene

    A single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, known for its exceptional electrical conductivity and strength.

  • Delocalised electrons

    Electrons that are not associated with a single atom or bond and can move freely, contributing to the electrical conductivity of materials like graphene.

  • fullerenes

    In Graphene and fullerenes, fullerenes means hollow molecules made from carbon atoms. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to describe fullerenes as hollow molecules made from carbon atoms. Use fullerenes only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • hollow molecule

    In Graphene and fullerenes, hollow molecule means a structure that has a cavity or empty space within it, formed by atoms. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to describe fullerenes as hollow molecules made from carbon atoms. Use hollow molecule only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.