- #1
tribdog
- 768
- 17
Is a diamond a single molecule?
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SUMMARY
A diamond is not a single molecule but a crystalline lattice composed of numerous carbon atoms bonded covalently in a tetrahedral arrangement. The strength of covalent bonds in diamond surpasses that of ionic bonds found in compounds like sodium chloride (NaCl), making diamonds significantly harder to break. Additionally, diamonds can spontaneously convert back to graphite at standard temperature and pressure (STP), although this process occurs over an extended period.
PREREQUISITES- Covalent bonding and its properties
- Understanding of crystalline structures
- Knowledge of standard temperature and pressure (STP)
- Comparison of ionic and covalent bonds
- Research the properties of covalent bonds in different materials
- Study the process of diamond to graphite transformation at STP
- Explore the structure and properties of other crystalline solids
- Learn about the applications of diamonds in industrial settings
Students of chemistry, materials scientists, and anyone interested in the physical properties of diamonds and their applications in various fields.
- #2
turbo
Gold Member
- 3,154
- 56
It's a crystalline lattice of LOTS of carbon atoms with lots of admixtures, too.
- #3
mineys
- 12
- 0
yes. pure diamond is a single molecule. It is a bunch of carbon molecules which have all covalently boded to each other in a tetrahedral arangement. The covalent bonds are stronger then ionic bonds which is why you can split a chunk of salt really easily, but with a diamond, tough luck. An interesting thing to note is that diamond spontaneously turns back into graphite at STP. But it takes a while.
- #4
Stevedye56
- 402
- 0
mineys said:
Just a little while
- #5
haiha
- 136
- 1
mineys said:
You can break a chunk of salt very much easier than a piece of diamond not because the ionic bonds are weaker than covanlent bonds. In diamond, molecules link togherther by covalent bonds. In NaCl , Na+ and Cl- are linked very tightly for ionic strong ionic bond. But linkages between one molecule NaCl and another molecule NaCl are not ionic, they are held by coulomb force which are weaker than Na+ and Cl-.
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