C6: Chemical Bonding, Lattices and Allotropes
Official Cambridge & Imperial ESAT specification requirements for Chemical Bonding, Lattices and Allotropes on the Chemistry paper. Understand the syllabus boundaries, spot distractor traps engineered by examiners, and master the 2-step Sub-90 shortcuts that compress solve time well below the 88.8-second cutoff.
Official Syllabus Subtopics
Requirements specified in the UAT-UK framework
- 1Ionic bonding: electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions in giant ionic lattices
- 2Covalent bonding: shared pairs of electrons and simple molecular structures
- 3Giant covalent macromolecules: diamond (tetrahedral C), graphite (hexagonal layers + delocalised e⁻), graphene, and SiO₂
- 4Metallic bonding: positive metal cations in a sea of delocalised electrons
- 5Physical properties: melting/boiling points, electrical conductivity, and solubility
Sub-90 Exam Speed Tips
How top candidates solve this spec under the 88.8s clock
Simple molecular substances melt at low temperatures because weak intermolecular forces break, NOT strong covalent bonds.
Graphite conducts electricity because each carbon atom has one delocalised electron free to move along planes.
Examiners engineer distractor options using common algebraic expansions and sign slips. Always test structural ratios or invariants before calculating arithmetic values.
Tested Topics in Specification C6
Master the individual question patterns and Sub-90 shortcuts for this specification.
Chemical Bonding, Giant vs. Simple Lattice Property Tables & Allotropes (Graphite/Diamond)
In structure tables, scan the Conductivity columns first: (Solid=No, Liquid=Yes) -> Giant Ionic; (Solid=Yes, Liquid=Yes) -> Metallic; (High MP, Solid=Yes) -> Graphite; (High MP, Solid=No, Liquid=No) -> SiO2/Diamond.
Ready to Master Specification C6 Under Exam Conditions?
Practice timed questions under the authentic Pearson VUE interface with live split stopwatch pacing, dry-wipe scratchpad, and distractor forensics.