Thanks for the extra detail...tom science
2006-08-28 20:08:24 · 7 answers · asked by tom science 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Two things:
The first is the relative strength of the carbon-carbon covalent (sharing electron) bonds.
The second is the crystal structure of the diamond which is a 3-dimensional tetrahedron (a pyramid made with a triangle for the base)
2006-08-28 21:22:12 · answer #1 · answered by Richard 7 · 69⤊ 0⤋
Why is Graphite soft and Diamond hard if both are pure carbon?
Carbon alone forms the familiar substances graphite and diamond. Both graphite and diamond are made only of carbon atoms. Graphite is very soft and slippery. Diamond is the hardest substance known to man. If both are made only of carbon what gives them different properties?
The answer lies in the way the carbon atoms form bonds with each other.
2006-08-29 04:01:21 · answer #2 · answered by hamdi_batriyshah 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because they are under pressure for a long time which puts the carbon atoms closer together so its harder
2006-08-29 11:54:19 · answer #3 · answered by Justin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the carbon atoms are so close together.
2006-08-29 03:11:15 · answer #4 · answered by brokolay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because women need something they can count on! Forever!
Pun intended!
2006-08-29 03:15:03 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because they are diamonds
2006-08-29 03:17:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cause they are compressed over 1,000's of yrs
2006-08-29 03:10:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋