2006-09-14 15:50:46 · 21 answers · asked by Anthony G 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Carbon in its hardest most crystalline arrangement.
2006-09-14 15:52:01 · answer #1 · answered by WildPointer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diamond is carbon in its most concentrated form. Except for trace impurities like boron and nitrogen, diamond is composed solely of carbon, the chemical element that is fundamental to all life.
But diamond is distinctly different from its close cousins the common mineral graphite and lonsdaleite, both of which are also composed of carbon. Why is diamond the hardest surface known while graphite is exceedingly soft? Why is diamond transparent while graphite is opaque and metallic black? What is it that makes diamond so unique?
The key to these questions lie in diamond's particular arrangement of carbon atoms or its crystal structure--the feature that defines any mineral's fundamental properties. A crystal is a solid body formed from the bonding of atomic elements or compounds in a repeating arrangement. Often, crystals possess smooth external faces. Due to their symmetrical and finite nature, the building blocks of crystals are limited to relatively small numbers of atoms, and their chemical compositions to simple numerical combinations of elements.
2006-09-14 22:53:42 · answer #2 · answered by deedee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diamond is the hardest known natural material and one of the two best known forms (or allotropes) of carbon. A diamond is a transparent crystal of tetrahedrally bonded carbon atoms.
2006-09-15 11:53:12 · answer #3 · answered by mirothana06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is made up of carbon. It differs from charcoal and graphite in that it forms a 3 dimensional molecular lattice. Each carbon atom is bound or shares electrons with 4 other atoms in a tetrahedron pattern. This pattern extends in 3 dimensions. Very solid structure.
Graphite is made up of exactly the same atoms, only they are bonded in a planer lattice.
2006-09-14 22:54:52 · answer #4 · answered by tbolling2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Carbon
the hardness is based upon it's crystalline structure. A field in geology known as crystallography (the most boring course in a geology program I assure you).
A diamonds crystalline structure is isometric. Whereas other pure carbons have different crystal systems. Lending to the differences in hardness.
2006-09-16 09:51:35 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Carbon
2006-09-14 22:52:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A diamond is carbon that has undergone a tremendous amount of pressure.
2006-09-15 00:09:01 · answer #7 · answered by Irish1952 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Carbon!
2006-09-14 22:52:27 · answer #8 · answered by Adam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pure unadulterated CARBON. due to maximum pressure from under the earth and I guess a whole realm of scientific minerals etc etc being forced to amalgamate at the one time. the purist have no flaws & magnificent clarity(sparkle) which are hard to come by unless you own a rich ARAB king or prince..... Lol Lol....
2006-09-14 22:54:59 · answer #9 · answered by evek 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
diamond is highly compressed carbon
2006-09-14 22:51:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋