Diamond is dense,hard with light colours (light blue etc) where as graphite is less dense,soft and black in colour
2006-10-18 02:53:28 · 12 answers · asked by Mohamed Sheriff 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The difference is in the crystalline structure of the arrangement of each mineral. This happens because of the way that diamonds and graphite are formed. The way this is done artificially is that to creat a diamond, you take carbon and put it uder great pressure and temperature, and then release all the pressure extremely fast (within a matter of seconds). You do the same thing to get graphite, except you release the pressure very slowly. As this happens it forces the carbon into graphite. Believe it or not this is a natural state for carbon as a mineral. If you put your diamond in the oven at 400 degrees, you would get a pencil!!!
2006-10-18 06:03:12 · answer #1 · answered by geohauss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While both are covalent network solids- solid composed of atoms covalently bondend in a network in 2 or 3 dimensions, they are also allotropes- forms of an element differing in either bonding or structure. Because the tetrahedral network of carbon atoms is very strong, diamond is the hardest substance known. Graphite's carbon atoms are bonded in a hexagonal pattern and lie in planes. Electrons can pass freely along the planes, so graphite is a conductor of electricity even though carbon is a nonmetal. The bonds within each plane are very strong. Weaker London forces hold the planes together so that the planes can slip past each other, which makes it a good lubricant.
2016-03-28 14:26:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just the crystalization. Diamond is face-centered cubic, meaning a tight, solid grid. Graphite is made of layers of hexagonal structures.
open a box of geomag game (magnetic sticks and steel balls). Build a unit cell that is face-centered cubic, i.e. a cube, and then in the middle of each face an extra ball, linked to those in the corners (so you'll need the more expensive box, with two lengths for rods). Add a couple other unit cells to it. Check how solid the whole thing is.
Now build hexagons, a layer of them. Put a layer of say, cardboard on top of it, build a new layer. Repeat this a few times. Compare the resistance of this set-up, to the resistance of the first set-up.
Not perfect, but will give you a feel for why diamond should be so much tougher than graphite.
2006-10-18 03:08:39 · answer #3 · answered by AntoineBachmann 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Diamond is formed when carbon is put under intense heat and pressure treatment. Essentially Diamond is compressed Carbon.
2006-10-18 05:17:42 · answer #4 · answered by advent m 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this is due to the difference in molecular structure.graphite has a laminar (layered) structure while diamond has lattice( three dimensional crisscrossed)structure and diamond is compressed ,so has a higher density.
God bless,
gabe
2006-10-18 05:46:48 · answer #5 · answered by gabegm1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
diamond formed under high pressure and high temp. Graphite is not.
2006-10-18 02:55:06 · answer #6 · answered by salter 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's all in the temperature and pressure relationships. And don't forget carbon III, it's in there also.
2006-10-18 07:32:12 · answer #7 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the pressure and temperature at the point the two were formed.
2006-10-18 03:05:10 · answer #8 · answered by Richard H 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's all to do with the arrangment of the atoms in the material.
2006-10-18 02:57:00 · answer #9 · answered by mark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Diamond is compressed
2006-10-18 02:55:05 · answer #10 · answered by lee f 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋