Atomic Structure

What is the Structure of a Giant Molecule?

What is the Structure of Diamond and Silicon?

Diamond is a form of the element carbon - see also graphite.

Diamond Giant Molecule
In the picture of diamond above, each blue ball represents a carbon atom.
The structure has billions of atoms forming hexagons and extends in all directions.

All of the covalent bonds in diamond are identical. It forms a
giant molecular structure. A crystal of diamond is one giant molecule!

The covalent bonds are very strong. Diamond is the hardest
naturally occurring material. It does not conduct electricity.

Silicon (used in microchips for computers)
has the same structure, with each blue ball being a silicon atom.

Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is sand (also called silica).
SiO2
has a similar structure and also forms a giant molecule.

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