2007-01-14 00:50:09 · 5 answers · asked by santu 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It seems odd that diamond would be considered brittle. Here's my answer.
Hardness is related to the strength of the bonds in the (this case) molecule. Each carbon atom in diamond makes a bond with its 4 neighbor atoms. Very strong arrangement; very hard.
Brittle is the description of how easily it its to change the shape of the material. If you had a sheet of diamond (1/8 of an inch thick), and tried to bend it... it would snap. That is what is meant by 'brittle'.
So the distinctions are:
hard/soft
brittle/malleable
2007-01-14 00:57:23 · answer #1 · answered by wizzardx3 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Brittle means it will break easily and diamonds do not do that. Diamonds are crystals of carbon and the crystals can be split along cleavage lines. Diamond cutters look for these lines and use them when cutting stones.
2007-01-14 00:56:09 · answer #2 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brittle is the description of how easily it its to change the shape of the material. If you had a sheet of diamond (1/8 of an inch thick), and tried to bend it... it would snap.
2007-01-14 00:58:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
there is a difference with hardness and brittleness.
2007-01-14 00:53:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
WE CAN'T BREAK IT WITH ANY OTHER SUBSTANCE BUT CAN ,BY ANOTHER DIAMOND
2007-01-14 17:21:08 · answer #5 · answered by pradeep 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋