Question #7240b

1 Answer
Stefan V.
Nov 8, 2015

#60#

Explanation:

Buckyballs is actually the name given to spherical fullerene molecules, which are hollow molecules made up of carbon atoms that are shaped like a sphere.

More specifically, buckyballs are formed when a total of #60# carbon atoms are bonded together to produce the spherical shape of the molecule.

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/texas/state-award-recognition/buckyball-molecule

Each carbon atom is covalently bonded to three other carbon atoms. You can trace these bonds along the lines of #20# hexagons and #12# pentagons that make up the molecule's spherical shape. More specifically, each carbon pentagon is surrounded by five carbon hexagons, as you can see here

https://whatnomints.wordpress.com/tag/buckminsterfullerene/

Now, the most common form the buckyballs contain #60# carbon atoms, although I think you could form them with a few as #20# carbon atoms and as many as #100#.

http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2014/cp/c4cp02348j#!divAbstract

Here's a very cool video from periodict Videos featuring Professor Poliakoff

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