BONDING 3

The drill contains an electric motor. The carbon contacts are made of graphite.
Springs push the contacts against the copper ring. The contacts conduct electricity to
the copper ring. The copper ring rotates rapidly but does not stick or become worn
because the graphite is soft and slippery.
Graphite has properties which are ideal for making the contacts in an electric motor.
Explain, in terms of structure and bonding, why graphite has these properties.

(6 Marks)
POSSIBLE MARKING POINTS:
Structure and bonding:
✓ Each carbon atom is bonded to three others
✗ Do not allow ‘carbon forms three bonds’ unquali ed.
✓ Covalent bonds.
✓ Bonds are strong/lots of energy needed to break bonds.
✓ One electron from each carbon is delocalised
✓ Giant lattice.

Soft and slippery:

✓ Weak intermolecular forces between the layers.
✓ Little energy needed to overcome intermolecular forces.
✓ Layers can slide over each other.

Conducts electricity:
✓ Delocalised electrons.
✓ Allow ‘free electrons’ or ‘sea of electrons’
✓ Carry charge across the structure.
✗ Do not allow ‘carry electricity’.
✗ Do not allow ‘around the structure’ OWTTE. Statements must clearly imply it goes from
one side to the other.

EXAMINER GUIDANCE:

LEVEL MARKS COMMENTS

L3 5-6 ✓ Must reference structure and bonding and link to both properties.
L2 3-4 ✓ Reference to structure and bonding and link to one property.
L1 1-2 ✓ Reference to structure and bonding or property explanation.
L0 0 NO RELEVANT CONTENT

© Mr Hutton Science
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