I'm having an arguement with my housemate... and we want to know
2006-08-02 11:55:36 · 14 answers · asked by talldancraig 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
QFL 24-7 is right. a few quick points. Assuming you are talking of a pure diamond, which is a pure carbon structure, there will be no visible cleavage. cutting a diamond requires a diamond edged saw (not a laser, they would just be refracted through the diamond). hitting a diamond hard enough with, say, a hammer may damage the hammer but it will also potentially shatter the diamond for the reason given by QFL 24-7. With imperfect diamonds the issue is a little more complex as the diamond will have weaknesses in its structure.
Oh, and fossils from pre-history are found in Amber (a gem composed of the sap from trees) NOT diamonds which are formed at great depth, high pressure and high temperature over millions of years.
2006-08-02 20:33:33 · answer #1 · answered by GeoChris 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The structure of diamonds is (one of the) hardest existing. Striking diamonds with a hammer is way of trying to damage your hammer. :)
Because of the compact form and shape of a diamond it's only possible to modify it with a very hard saw or the like.
One of the other hardest materials existing is that in which fossils like insects from the prehistory are found.
2006-08-02 12:07:15 · answer #2 · answered by lifekicker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not typically, and if it did it wouldn't really shatter it would split or fragment into a few pieces (shatter = many pieces). But the diamond would have to be flawed (with a crack) or be struck at the perfect angle at random.
2006-08-02 12:07:05 · answer #3 · answered by malkier8567 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diamonds are not perfect. There are impurities in the diamond. These impurities weaken the structure of the diamond and if a strong enough force is applied, the diamond will fracture at these places. You can break a diamond without using another diamond.
2006-08-02 12:04:48 · answer #4 · answered by galactic_man_of_leisure 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but only along lines of cleavage. How do you think they "cut" diamonds? They don't "cut" them, they sort-of split them. It has to do with the internal crystal structure of a diamond. It will only split at certain angles and at certain places.
So, to answer the question, it depends..... but i wouldn't try it.
Are you trying to get out of getting an engagement ring, because it might break?
2006-08-02 12:07:39 · answer #5 · answered by Tom-PG 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Hardness is not the same as Elastic Modulus or anything like that. Nothing can scratch it, but it can crack, chip, etc. It's not easy, but it's a different kind of force with a blunt strike compared to a scratch.
2006-08-02 12:02:50 · answer #6 · answered by QFL 24-7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope. they can't be cracked or broken by any substance that is not as hard as they are. the diamond might actually put a small dent in the hammer.
2006-08-02 12:14:44 · answer #7 · answered by fuzzygumdrop 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if its a diamond plated hammer then yes. the only thing that can cut / break would be another diamond.
2006-08-02 12:00:01 · answer #8 · answered by rhino 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
anything can be broken witht the right amount of any type of force. be it gravity (pulls apart if placed on two different sides {note, lots of gravity) light (laser) heat (both forms, reforms, and can destroy it) blunt force, sharp force, or anything else.
2006-08-02 12:33:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Or a highly powered laser
2006-08-02 12:01:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋