- #1
Thallium
- 231
- 0
Can lightning break diamond..? 
Can Lightning Shatter a Diamond in the Desert?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around whether lightning can break a diamond, exploring the properties of diamond as an insulator and the nature of lightning strikes. Participants also touch on related topics such as the photography of lightning and its visual effects.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- Some participants assert that diamond is not a good conductor of electricity, suggesting that this property may prevent lightning from breaking it.
- Others question whether only materials that are good conductors can be damaged by lightning, proposing that the large current flowing through conductive materials is responsible for damage.
- A participant expresses curiosity about the authenticity of a lightning photograph, indicating a broader interest in the visual representation of lightning phenomena.
- Another participant shares an anecdote about a friend's photography during a thunderstorm, mentioning techniques used to capture lightning and speculating on the nature of lightning's peak output.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on whether lightning can break diamond, with differing views on the role of conductivity in the damage caused by lightning. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific effects of lightning on various materials.
Contextual Notes
Participants discuss the properties of diamond and lightning without fully addressing the underlying assumptions about conductivity and damage. The conversation also shifts to the aesthetic aspects of lightning photography, which may distract from the original question.
Who May Find This Useful
Individuals interested in the properties of materials, the effects of lightning, and photography of natural phenomena may find this discussion relevant.
- #2
GCT
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 1,745
- 0
No, diamond is not a good conductor of electricity.
---------------
A useful site for chemistry resource
http://groups.msn.com/GeneralChemistryHomework
---------------
A useful site for chemistry resource
http://groups.msn.com/GeneralChemistryHomework
Last edited by a moderator:
- #3
Thallium
- 231
- 0
Not even because of the force of the lightning? Can only materials that are good conductors of electricity break by lightning then?
- #4
skowalcz
- 31
- 0
I guess so. It is the large current that flows through an object that breaks is. So when you have got an insulator, no current will flow and no damage will be created.Thallium said:
By the way, I'm wondering whether this very nice picture of lightning is real.
It looks so amazing that I almost can not believe it's real:
gene.wins.uva.nl/~skowalcz/lightning
Or click http://gene.wins.uva.nl/~skowalcz/lightning , but maybe that doesn't work
Last edited by a moderator:
- #5
Thallium
- 231
- 0
It did not work.. The page was babyblue.. Bbayblue lightning? :)
- #6
skowalcz
- 31
- 0
Then you should just copy this linkThallium said:
gene.wins.uva.nl/~skowalcz/lightning
and paste it in a new window. That works for sure.
- #7
peanutthrower
- 10
- 0
thats an awesome pic! where was it taken?
- #8
Njorl
Science Advisor
- 284
- 22
A buddy of mine did a lot of photography. When he went out to Vegas, he went into the desert during a night-time thunderstorm. He mounted his camera rigidly, and left the shutter open. It looks like someone else did that for the pic, but maybe they stuck some filters in for a few different shots. I think the peak output of a lightning strike is in the UV.
Njorl
Njorl
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