# Diamond is used to make cutting tools. Explain why diamond has a very high melting point and why it cannot conduct electricity.

> AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) — 4.2.3 Structure and bonding of carbon · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds (with four other carbon atoms)
2. There are many strong covalent bonds throughout the giant covalent structure, requiring a large amount of energy to break them
3. There are no free/delocalised electrons in diamond
4. There are no charged particles free to move, so diamond cannot carry an electrical current

## Key terms

- [diamond](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/diamond)

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