Poly(ethene) and diamond both contain covalent bonds between carbon atoms.
Poly(ethene) softens at about 120 ∘C120\,^\circ\mathrm{C}120∘C. Diamond has a melting point above 3500 ∘C3500\,^\circ\mathrm{C}3500∘C.
Which statements help to explain this difference?
Statement 1: Poly(ethene) is made of long chain molecules held together by intermolecular forces.
Statement 2: When poly(ethene) softens, the covalent bonds in its chains break.
Statement 3: Diamond is a giant structure, so melting it breaks many strong covalent bonds.
Statement 4: Diamond has strong intermolecular forces between its carbon atoms.
1 and 3 only
2 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4 only
2, 3 and 4 only
60 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Chemistry 2.3 Properties of materials, covering 2.3.1 Carbon bonding and the variety of organic compounds, 2.3.2 Diamond, graphite, fullerenes and graphene, 2.3.3 Bond strength, changes of state and predicting states, 2.3.4 Bulk properties and types of bonding, and 2.3.5 Nanoparticles: scale, surface area, uses and risks. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.