2007-10-16 14:22:51 · 4 answers · asked by uclabruinsla 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Yes. The differences have to do with crystal structure. Look this up, but basically diamonds have a three-dimensional network of carbon-to-carbon connections, and coal (and all black forms of carbon) has sheets of carbon-to-carbon two-dimensional connections.
2007-10-16 14:39:02 · answer #1 · answered by Howard H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diamond is a mineral because it has a crystalline structure. Coal is not a mineral because it's an organic aggregate of rotting plant matter and minerals and it doesn't have a crystalline structure. The sheet structure that Howard mentioned is graphite, which is a mineral and is composed of carbon, but it isn't coal and didn't come from coal.
2007-10-17 08:48:19 · answer #2 · answered by CSW 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Coal is not made up of pure carbon, its a hydrocarbon, but anyway carbon can have countless crystalline arrangements, diamond is nearly pure carbon with a specific crystal arrangement which is formed under conditions of high heat and pressure.
2007-10-16 21:43:13 · answer #3 · answered by cimra 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Coal is not a mineral, it is a sedimentary rock. Coal is made up of organic material (source of carbon), but it may also contain minerals such as quartz, clay, pyrite, and sulfur.
2007-10-16 22:04:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋