Structure and bonding of carbon key terms

fullerene

In Graphene and fullerenes, fullerene means a hollow molecule made from carbon atoms, often structured in hexagonal rings. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to explain that fullerene structures are based mainly on hexagonal rings and may include rings with five or seven carbon atoms. Use fullerene 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.

hexagonal ring

A ring structure consisting of six carbon atoms, commonly found in fullerene and graphene structures.

Buckminsterfullerene

In Graphene and fullerenes, Buckminsterfullerene means a spherical fullerene molecule composed of 60 carbon atoms, also known as C60. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to identify Buckminsterfullerene, C60, as a spherical fullerene. Use Buckminsterfullerene 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.

fullerene

A class of carbon molecules that can form hollow structures, including spherical and cylindrical shapes.

carbon nanotube

In Graphene and fullerenes, carbon nanotube means a cylindrical fullerene with a very high length to diameter ratio. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to describe carbon nanotubes as cylindrical fullerenes with very high length to diameter ratios. Use carbon nanotube 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.

fullerene

In Graphene and fullerenes, fullerene means a hollow molecule made from carbon atoms, including structures like Buckminsterfullerene. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to describe carbon nanotubes as cylindrical fullerenes with very high length to diameter ratios. Use fullerene 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.

Graphene

In Graphene and fullerenes, Graphene means a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. This matters in Structure and bonding of carbon because it supports the learning objective to recognise graphene and fullerenes from diagrams and descriptions of their bonding and structure. Use Graphene 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.

Fullerenes

Hollow molecules made from carbon atoms, including structures like Buckminsterfullerene, C60.

fullerene

Hollow molecules made from carbon atoms, including structures like Buckminsterfullerene, C60.

carbon nanotube

Cylindrical fullerenes with very high length to diameter ratios, used in nanotechnology and electronics.