If diamonds are made out of carbon endlessly bonded to itself, is a diamond really one giant molecule?
2006-11-14 14:44:55 · 4 answers · asked by pete b 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
technically, a system that consists of homogeneous atoms or molecules bonded to each other is called a "lattice," or a "crystal lattice." The difference is that, with a molecule, splitting it or removing components of it would change its chemical properties, whereas with a lattice, splitting it causes no chemical changes and only reduces its size. Therein lies the difference.
2006-11-14 14:56:55 · answer #1 · answered by Firstd1mension 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
A diamond is a crystal made up, as you already know, of many carbon atoms - it is this tightly bonded lattice structure that gives it its incredible hardness characteristics.
2006-11-14 14:52:13 · answer #2 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No
2006-11-14 14:48:35 · answer #3 · answered by kippie2525 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
2006-11-14 14:52:04 · answer #4 · answered by wildraft1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋