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Date May 2019 Marks available 2 Reference code 19M.3.sl.TZ1.6
Level SL Paper 3 Time zone TZ1
Command term Describe Question number 6 Adapted from N/A

Question

Nanotechnology has allowed the manipulation of materials on the atomic level.

Describe the structure and bonding of a carbon nanotube.

 

Structure:

Bonding:

[2]
a.

Suggest one application for carbon nanotubes.

[1]
b.

Markscheme

Structure:
giant covalent/network covalent  [✔]

Note: Accept “cylindrical/tube shaped”.

Bonding:
each carbon covalently bonded to 3 other carbons
OR
each bond has order of 1.5

Note: Accept “has delocalized electrons” OR “has sp2 hybridization”.

a.

Any one of:
3D electrodes  [✔]
catalysts [✔]
biosensors [✔]
molecular stents [✔]
body armour [✔]
synthetic muscles [✔]
micro transistors/circuitry/capacitors/electrodes [✔]
reinforcing phase in a matrix/composite material «such as concrete» [✔]
micro antenna [✔]
stealth technology [✔]
water/air filtration [✔]
solar cells [✔]
tennis racquets [✔]
microelectronic circuits [✔]

 

Note: Do not accept just general answerssuch as “medicine” or “defence”.

b.

Examiners report

Most students were aware that nanotubes have a tubular structure, but answers to the bonding were rarely detailed enough to gain the second mark.

a.

Only a few students gained this mark and they usually gave the use of nanotubes for a reinforcing.

b.

Syllabus sections

Options » A: Materials » A.6 Nanotechnology
Options » A: Materials
Options

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