Simple Molecular Structures (Edexcel IGCSE Science (Double Award))
Revision Note
Written by: Stewart Hird
Reviewed by: Lucy Kirkham
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Simple molecular structures
Simple molecular structures have covalent bonds joining the atoms together, but intermolecular forces that act between neighbouring molecules are weak
They have relatively low melting and boiling points because:
There are weak intermolecular forces between the molecules
These forces require little energy to overcome
Most simple molecular structures are either gases or liquids at room temperature
They can be solids with low melting and boiling points but this is less common
As the molecules increase in size, the melting and boiling points generally increase because the strength of these intermolecular forces increases and so more energy is needed to break them
C60 fullerene
Fullerenes are a group of carbon allotropes which consist of molecules that form hollow tubes or spheres
Fullerenes can be used to trap other molecules by forming around the target molecule and capturing it, making them useful for targeted drug delivery systems
They also have a huge surface area and are useful for trapping catalyst molecules onto their surfaces making them easily accessible to reactants, so catalysis can take place
Some fullerenes are excellent lubricants and are starting to be used in many industrial processes
The first fullerene to be discovered was buckminsterfullerene which is affectionately referred to as a “buckyball”
In this fullerene, 60 carbon atoms are joined together forming 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons which produce a hollow sphere that is the exact shape of a soccer ball
C60 is a simple molecular structure
C60 can not conduct electricity
Although the fourth electron in C60 is not bonded, the electrons are only freely moving within the buckyballs and cannot migrate from one buckyball to another, so C60 does not conduct electricity
There are weak intermolecular forces between individual buckyballs
Little energy is needed to overcome these forces
Substances consisting of buckyballs are slippery and have relatively low melting points
C60 fullerene
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember: When explaining the low melting and boiling point of simple molecular structures, it is not the covalent bonds between the atoms which are broken, but the weak intermolecular forces.
Melting and boiling point patterns
As the relative molecular mass of a substance increases, the melting and boiling point will increase as well
An increase in the relative molecular mass of a substance means that there are more electrons in the structure, so there are more intermolecular forces of attraction that need to be overcome when a substance changes state
So larger amounts of heat energy are needed to overcome these forces, causing the compound to have a higher melting and boiling point
The family of organic molecules called alkanes show a clear increase in boiling point as the size of the molecule increases
The relationship between molecular mass and boiling point
As the molecular mass increases, so does the boiling point
Conductivity of simple molecular structures
Simple molecular structures are poor conductors of electricity (even when molten) because:
There are no free ions or electrons to move and carry the charge.
Most covalent compounds do not conduct at all in the solid state and are thus insulators
Common insulators include the plastic coating around household electrical wiring, rubber and wood
The plastic coating around electrical wires is made from covalent substances that do not allow a flow of charge
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