Crystal lattices in 3D: NaCl, diamond, graphite, metals

Build giant ionic, covalent and metallic lattices unit cell by unit cell and see how each particle is surrounded, with the properties that follow.

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Questions students ask

What is the coordination number of sodium chloride?

6 : 6. Each Na⁺ ion is surrounded by six Cl⁻ ions and each Cl⁻ by six Na⁺.

Why does graphite conduct electricity but diamond does not?

In graphite each carbon bonds to three others, leaving one delocalised electron per atom free to move. In diamond all four outer electrons are in bonds.

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