AQA · Chemistry · 8462
GCSE Chemistry (AQA): Graphene & Fullerenes
Topic 2 — Bonding, Structure & Properties of Matter. Generated from the caption track of Cognito's lesson video "GCSE Chemistry - Graphene & Fullerenes - Structure | Properties | Uses (2027/28 exams)"; each card deep-links to the moment in the video it came from. Lesson 2.09 of Cognito's AQA GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) and Chemistry course (Higher tier), filed under AQA Chemistry 8462. Teaching by Cognito — https://cognitoedu.org/coursesubtopic/c2-gcse-aqa-h-c_2.09.
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Which rings, added among the hexagons, make a carbon sheet curve into a sphere?
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Pentagons or heptagons. Rings other than hexagons force the sheet to curve, producing spherical fullerenes.
What is nanotechnology?
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Technology that uses extremely small structures, such as fullerenes and nanotubes, in industries from medicine and batteries to food and fashion.
Why can graphene conduct electricity?
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Each carbon atom donates one electron to a pool of delocalised electrons, which are free to move through the sheet.
In graphene, how many other carbon atoms is each carbon bonded to?
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Three. These strong covalent bonds form repeating hexagons, which makes graphene very strong.
Define allotropes.
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Different structural forms of the same element in the same physical state, e.g. diamond, graphite and graphene are allotropes of solid carbon.
Which property of carbon nanotubes lets them strengthen materials without adding much weight?
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Their very high length to diameter ratio — they are extremely long and thin, so little mass is added.
Why are fullerenes useful as industrial catalysts?
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They have a very large surface area to volume ratio, giving reactant molecules more surface on which to react.
What is the chemical formula of Buckminsterfullerene?
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C60 — a hollow sphere made of 60 carbon atoms, and the first fullerene ever made.
A single layer of graphite is known as ?.
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graphene
How are spherical fullerenes used in medicine?
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They form a cage around drug molecules, allowing the drug to be delivered to a specific area of the body.
Give one use of carbon nanotubes in sports equipment.
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Reinforcing tennis racket frames, adding strength for very little extra weight.
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