Giant covalent structures
2.6What the syllabus asks of you
- Describe the giant covalent structures of graphite, diamond and silicon(IV) oxide, SiO2
- Relate the structures and bonding of graphite and diamond to their uses, limited to: (a) graphite as a lubricant and as an electrode (b) diamond in cutting tools
- Describe the similarity in properties between diamond and silicon(IV) oxide, related to their structures
Read the notes first
Chapter 2: Giant covalent structures
Drill this topic
Every question on Giant covalent structures, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
22 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q6Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 and 3 only
D2 and 3 only
Mark scheme
2May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q5Show mark scheme →
Adiamond
Bgraphite
Cmethane
Dsilicon(IV) oxide
Mark scheme
3Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q6Show mark scheme →
AIt can be used as a lubricant.
BIt has a melting point below 200 °C.
CIt has good electrical conductivity.
DIt is extremely hard.
Mark scheme
4May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AIt conducts electricity.
BIt has a giant covalent structure.
CIt is an alloy.
DIt is ionically bonded.
Mark scheme
5Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q6Show mark scheme →
Aaqueous sodium chloride
Bgold
Cgraphite
Dsolid sodium chloride
Mark scheme
6May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q5Show mark scheme →
ASilicon(IV) oxide is found as an impurity in iron ore.
BThe angles between the atoms in silicon(IV) oxide and graphite are the same.
CThe melting points of silicon(IV) oxide and graphite are high because ionic bonds are stronger than covalent bonds.
DWhen graphite acts as a lubricant, the covalent bonds between the layers are broken.
Mark scheme
7May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q6Show mark scheme →
AW X Z Y
BW Y Z X
CY Z W X
DY Z X W
Mark scheme
8Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q6Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1, 2 and 4
C1, 3 and 4
D2, 3 and 4
Mark scheme
9May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q6Show mark scheme →
AX and Y only
BX and Z only
CY and Z only
DX, Y and Z
Mark scheme
10Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Aa good conductor of electricity
Ba high melting point
Creacts with hydrochloric acid
Dsoluble in water
Mark scheme
11May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AW and X conduct electricity.
BW and Y are elements.
CX and Z dissolve in water.
DY and Z have low melting points.
Mark scheme
12May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q7Show mark scheme →
Ahas covalent bonding: P only; conducts electricity: P only
Bhas covalent bonding: P only; conducts electricity: Q only
Chas covalent bonding: both P and Q; conducts electricity: P only
Dhas covalent bonding: both P and Q; conducts electricity: Q only
Mark scheme
13Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
ADiamond conducts electricity while graphite does not.
BGraphite has delocalised ions between its layers.
CIn diamond, each carbon atom is joined to three other carbon atoms only.
DThe layered structure of graphite makes it slippery.
Mark scheme
14May / June 2019 · Paper 11 · Q6Show mark scheme →
Adiamond, diamond, graphite
Bdiamond, graphite, graphite
Cgraphite, diamond, diamond
Dgraphite, graphite, diamond
Mark scheme
15May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q6Show mark scheme →
AThey will be made of atoms arranged in layers.
BThey will be soft.
CThey will burn to give carbon dioxide.
DThey will conduct electricity.
Mark scheme
16Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q6Also set in Oct / Nov 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Amethane
Bsand
Csodium chloride
Dwater
Mark scheme
17Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Agiant covalent
Bionic
Cmetallic
Dsimple molecular
Mark scheme
18Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
Aabove 800 °C
Bbetween 100 °C and 800 °C
C100 °C
Dbelow 100 °C
Mark scheme
19May / June 2017 · Paper 11 · Q7Show mark scheme →
Adiamond
Bgraphite
Cmethane
Dsand
Mark scheme
20May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q2Show mark scheme →
AX ✓ Y ✓
BX ✓ Y ✗
CX ✗ Y ✓
DX ✗ Y ✗
Mark scheme
21Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 11 · Q7Show mark scheme →
Agood, 97
Bgood, 3550
Cpoor, 113
Dpoor, 4750
Mark scheme
22May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q7Also set in May / June 2016 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
ABoth graphite and diamond have giant molecular structures.
BComplete combustion of equal masses of graphite and diamond produces equal masses of carbon dioxide and no other products.
CGraphite and diamond have different melting points.
DGraphite conducts electricity, whereas diamond does not.
Mark scheme