NEW AQA GCSE Trilogy (2016) Chemistry - Simple and giant covalent structures

This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Structure & Bonding’ SoW.

For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience

The lessons starts with looking at the way in which we use models to represent the structure of different compounds, models include the 3D ball and stick model, 2D ball and stick model, dot and cross diagrams and displayed formula showing bonds. Pupils are reminded of the limitations of some of these models, this is something they should be able to recount.

Pupils are now shown a diagram to show how intermolecular forces act between simple covalent molecules, pupils should be able to explain the difference between the strong covalent bonds between atoms but the weak intermolecular forces between molecules and how this relates to the the low melting and boiling points of simple covalent molecules.

The next part of the lesson is going to focus on giant covalent structures, firstly pupils will watch a video and answer a set of questions. Their work can be self-assess using the answers provided on the PowerPoint presentation. Students are then introduced to the three main covalent structures - diamond, graphite and silicon dioxide. Students will be given a set of information on these structures which they will need to use to complete their worksheet on giant covalent structures. To assess their knowledge of this topic there is a set of ‘quick check’ questions, pupils of a higher ability may want to complete these questions in the back of their books without discussing with others. The work can be assessed using the mark scheme provided.

The last part of the lesson focuses on fullerenes and graphene - two other giant covalent structures with unique properties. Students are firstly introduced to the structure and uses of these compounds before watching a video and answering questions about them. The work from this task can be self or peer assessed using the answers provided.

The plenary task is for pupils to pretend they are a scientist researching the use of nanotubes, fullerenes and grapehene, they need to come up two ideas of how these materials can be used in future technologies.

All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)