2006-07-03 07:12:58 · 14 answers · asked by Adrian M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Diamonds are the hardest material, not the strongest. There's a difference.
Just because a diamond is hard doesn't mean it can't be split. Diamond cutters use a small hammer and special chisel to cut diamonds to shape and size all the time.
2006-07-03 07:20:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Diamonds are the hardest material not strongest. Depending on how heavy the hammer is and how hard it is swung it can break the diamond. Because unless the diamond is perfect, all diamonds have faults and impurities. But even the most perfect diamond would break with enough force.
2006-07-03 07:53:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
strongest, in this case, refers to a scale in geology (I can't remember the name) where higher rated rocks will always scratch lower rated ones, and not vice versa. Diamond is on the top of the list.
If you hit it with a hammer, it could crack.
You just have to hit it at the right angle. It has to do with the crystal structure more than any toughness of the material.
2006-07-03 08:12:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diamonds are hard, but brittle. The scale on which it is the heardest (10) means that no material with a lower rating can scratch it. However, the diamond will fragment if struck, because the crystalline structure cannot withstand that kind of force.
2006-07-04 05:34:18 · answer #4 · answered by mertinvix 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will probably break, because some cut diamonds have fractures. Though it might be perfect, in which case the diamond might imbed into the anvil surface.
2006-07-03 07:20:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its the hardest... not strongest... it would break if it were small enough, the hammer was heavy enough and with enough Force... it would break and shatter..
technically a spiders web is the strongest material on earth I have heard... it is 100 times stronger than steel for its size...
2006-07-03 07:26:48 · answer #6 · answered by Peter Griffin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will break! even though its the strongest material on earth everything has a point at witch it will break!!! If you hit it hard enough it will break
2006-07-03 11:49:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
who says diamond is d strongest material on earth.???
it is d hardest meterial on earth. i.e. it is least compressed by application of force. On hammering (dont do it) it will shatter. like glass.
2006-07-03 09:03:44 · answer #8 · answered by Sean 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
might dent both anvil and hammer, but will break given sufficient force.
2006-07-03 07:16:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
um it will bounce off. but dust of diamond will come off you have to hit the diamond with a sharp PICKAXE at full force if you want it to brake into two
2006-07-03 07:17:34 · answer #10 · answered by x_cybernet_x 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋