Is it possible to dissolve diamonds with water?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of whether diamonds can be dissolved in water, exploring the definitions and processes involved in dissolution, etching, and erosion. Participants engage in a technical examination of the conditions under which diamonds might be altered or damaged, particularly in relation to water and other methods.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that diamonds cannot be dissolved in water, suggesting that any alteration is not relevant to the concept of dissolution.
  • Others reference an article discussing superheated water and high pressure, arguing that while this process can damage diamonds, it does not constitute dissolution in the conventional sense.
  • A participant challenges the definition of "dissolve," indicating that the term should not apply to the processes described in the linked article.
  • There is a discussion about etching being a form of dissolution, with some participants agreeing that etching can remove material but questioning whether it aligns with the definition of dissolving.
  • Participants introduce alternative methods of altering diamonds, such as using helium nuclei or lasers, to illustrate that different processes can affect diamonds without implying dissolution.
  • Concerns are raised about the phrasing of the original question and the clarity of definitions used in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the definitions of dissolution and etching, with no consensus reached regarding whether the processes discussed can be classified as dissolving diamonds in water.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reveals a lack of clarity around the definitions of terms like "dissolve" and "etch," as well as the conditions required for each process. The varying interpretations of these terms contribute to the ongoing debate.

pkt
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Is it possible to dissolve diamonds with water?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
No.
 
Do you see any reason to expect that?

No. At least not in any relevant amount.
 
@pkt if you knew the answer why did you post the question?

PF is here to help students with questions from STEM subjects. We are a team of volunteers here trying to help out and we don't pose questions to fool others. It is our hope that you won't repeat this strategy in the future.
 
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That is not really "dissolving diamonds in water". They superheated water and put it under extremely high pressure between diamonds and graphene. That damaged the diamond.
 
pkt said:
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-03/superheated-water-etches-diamond

Never underestimate dihydrogen monoxide.

If this is what you mean by "dissolve", then you have a very strange and unconventional definition of it. So not only should you have posted this link at the very beginning of your post, you should have also revealed your personal definition of "dissolve".

Otherwise, this is not what we conventionally will call "dissolve".

Zz.
 
Smells like a philosopher's spirit. AFAIK, this community is not about that life.
 
  • #10
[Mentor's note: Some unnecessary snark, in violation of the Physics Forums rules, has been edited out of this post]

Etching is very much dissolving.
 
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  • #11
You just didn't understand the article you linked later, or you phrased your question in a wrong way.

Can helium dissolve a diamond? No. But if you shoot helium nuclei (or atoms) at a diamond you can certainly etch some material away.
 
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  • #12
pkt said:
Etching is very much dissolving.

When you get to the bottom of a hole, it's best to stop digging.

What they are doing is not dissolving since the water does not contain any carbon in solution afterwards.

pkt said:
stump the egghead and I got two on the first try

Again, when you get to the bottom of a hole, it's best to stop digging.
 
  • #13
mfb said:
But if you shoot helium nuclei (or atoms) at a diamond you can certainly etch some material away.

Or a laser. Does that mean carbon dissolves in light?
 
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  • #14
Any form of erosion will etch
But the process of abrasion with a non solvent will only form a suspension not a solution
 

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