Theoretically, of course. If you slammed the graphite REALLY hard onto the diamond, could you break the diamond as well as the graphite?
2007-01-10 08:34:42 · 5 answers · asked by bowlingcap 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
yes, if you slammed it REALLY,REALLY hard: hard enough to overcome the bonds between every single carbon atom through the thickness of the diamond. diamonds are hard because they are whats called a "network solid" because any given diamond is actually one whole gargantuan molecule considering every atom is chemically bonded to its neighbor.
2007-01-10 09:14:44 · answer #1 · answered by E-Z 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO,because although diamond and graphite are formed of the same element carbon, they have differnt crystaloography,means diferrent crystals,this makes graphite weak and diamond very strong,so diamond which is almost ten on the Mohr scale can cleave any thing but could only be cleaved by itself.
2007-01-10 09:03:28 · answer #2 · answered by gogo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
diamond and graphite are both carbon. In the form of graphite carbon is very soft... won't work. It would be possible to compress the graphite using great pressure and temperature to form an artifical diamond and then cleaving would be possible. If I reckon properly, artifical diamonds are slightly harder than natural diamonds.
2007-01-10 09:44:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Only diamond, pressure and heat can crack diamond, and the graphite would break the second it touched the diamond.
2007-01-10 09:03:22 · answer #4 · answered by flyingbirdyaws 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, If done REALLY hard. No, if just tapping with a hammer.
2007-01-10 09:18:31 · answer #5 · answered by Dr Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋