Graphite and diamond (Edexcel GCSE Chemistry & Combined Science)

This lesson describes the relationship between the structure and function of the giant covalent substances, graphite and diamond. The PowerPoint and accompanying resource have been designed to cover points 1.35, 1.36 and 1.37 of the Edexcel GCSE Chemistry specification also covers those same points in the Chemistry section of the Combined Science course

As shown in the picture, the lesson begins with a newspaper story about two prisoners who escaped from Pentonville prison by using a diamond-tipped drill and this immediately introduces the use of this allotrope of carbon in cutting tools. There is a clear focus on the link between the structure, bonding and respective uses. Time is taken to focus on the comparison between graphite and diamond in terms of their ability to conduct electricity. A step by step answer is used to explain why diamond cannot conduct electricity so that students can use this when forming their answer for graphite.