2007-02-02 03:04:38 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
diamond glitters due to its high refrective index 2.417. the higher the refractive index, the more brilliance a substance has, because of the higher degree to which it can bend light rays.
the brilliance also depends on the cut of a diamond. The more the number of refractive surfaces it has, the finer the cuts, the more it glitters, which offcourse depends on the diamond cutter's skill.
2007-02-02 03:15:54 · answer #1 · answered by raindrops 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Raindrops got it right. Diamonds have a high refractive index. This means that light travelling through them will be bent more than in other substances. The reason for this is the speed of light is slowed down in a diamond. Light travels as wave though it has properties of waves and particles. When it hits the substance where the speed is drastically reduced it tends to significanly bend the direction of flow. It has what is called an adamantine luster, the most lustrous category.
2007-02-02 04:10:27 · answer #2 · answered by JimZ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No "diamond" can glitter in the dark. In order for a diamond to glitter/sparkle, light needs to be present. Light reflects through the diamond then refracts, which causes a diamond to sparkle/glitter.
2016-05-24 05:11:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diamond is the hardest known natural material , composed of carbon,its hardness and high dispersion of light with the combination of the cuts in the diamond results in the effective reflection /"trap" of the light making diamond glitter....
2007-02-02 03:19:17 · answer #4 · answered by Soulblitz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Critical angle of diamond is small.Thus light entering the diamond undergoes multiple reflections before leaving it .Hence diamond glitters.
2007-02-02 03:13:04 · answer #5 · answered by arup s 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pure diamond is crystalline.It is a very rigid structure in which each carbon atom is attached to four other carbon atoms.Because of its shiny surface it reflects more light i.e its refractive index is more.Hence diamonds glitters.It sublimes at about 3500 degree Centigrade
2007-02-05 04:13:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
diamonds glitter only due to total internal reflection in them. they are cut in to such a way that there are number of faces in them so that if a ray of light enters in it , it must strike the face at angle which is greater than its critical angle in case of diamond it is approximately24.4 degree.this is the condition of tir on it.more will the reflection more will be its brillancey.
2007-02-02 04:35:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Raindrops nailed the answer. It is all in the refraction of the light entering/leaving the mineral/diamond!
2007-02-02 16:21:22 · answer #8 · answered by wotana02 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are cut (polished in "facets") such that the light is reflected internally in the best possible way. Because of the optical properties of diamond, this is optimal only in; diamonds
2007-02-02 03:12:51 · answer #9 · answered by curious curt 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should believe raindrops and Jim. They've nailed it.
2007-02-02 05:21:57 · answer #10 · answered by GatorGal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋