Carbon Attraction: Why Does Diamond Not Disappear?

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    Carbon Oxygen
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of why diamond, a form of carbon, does not seem to react with oxygen despite the assertion that carbon has a stronger attraction to oxygen than to itself. Participants explore the implications of this observation, particularly in the context of chemical bonding and reactions involving carbon and oxygen.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why diamond does not disappear if carbon attracts oxygen more than it attracts itself, suggesting that carbon-containing substances should similarly react with oxygen.
  • Another participant clarifies that the discussion pertains to free atoms rather than atoms already bonded in a structure like diamond.
  • A further inquiry is made about the effects of high-velocity oxygen atoms approaching diamond, implying a potential reaction under certain conditions.
  • One participant references an article stating that diamond can burn, indicating that while diamond may combine with oxygen, there is an activation energy barrier that must be overcome for the reaction to occur.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the interaction between diamond and oxygen, with some emphasizing the role of chemical bonding and activation energy, while others question the implications of carbon's attraction to oxygen in the context of diamond's stability.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the conditions under which diamond may react with oxygen, including the influence of activation energy and the state of carbon atoms in diamond versus free atoms.

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Hi all,sorry if i commit any mistake while asking this question.
Actually right now i am studying FEYNMAN lectures of physics vol.1.ON page 7 of chapter1 it is written and clearly understood that Carbon attracts Oxygen much more than carbon attracts carbon or oxygen atttracts oxygen.
But if its ok then question arises The diamond should get disappear as carbon atoms in it must interact with oxygen. Similar cases should be arises with other substances containing carbon?
I hope the question is clear to you.
Sorry ,if commited any mistake.
Thanks
 
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He was talking about free atoms, not atoms already locked in a chemical bond.
 


But sir, then what will happen if oxygen atom approaches with high velocity?. (In short air may blow fast)??
 


According to this article, diamond can burn:
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/geochemistry/a/aa071801a.htm

Presumably this means that diamond would like to combine with oxygen, but the reaction has an activation energy, meaning that it has to pass through a higher energy state in order to reach a lower energy state.
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/chemistry/gilbert/concepts/chapter14/ch14_5.htm
http://www.chem.wisc.edu/~newtrad/CurrRef/BDGTopic/BDGtext/BDGDmnd.html
 
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