This post begins a series on the allotropes (elemental forms) of carbon. There are four allotropes of the incredibly versatile element, carbon; 1) Diamond, 2) Graphite, 3) Nanotube, and 4) Buckminsterfullerene (aka "Bucky Ball")! The details of the amazing carbon form, diamond, are presented here.
When asked to indicate what image is mentally formed upon hearing the word, "carbon", most people would likely say, "soot", "charcoal", or something else along those lines. Some of those people may be surprised to hear that the beautiful diamond is a pure form of carbon. How can a single element manifest itself in such a variety of vastly different forms?: Answer - By the incredible variety of bonds which carbon atoms can form, even with other carbon atoms!
Diamonds are formed deep under the earth's crust where immense pressure and heat force carbon to assume its most compact identity. The micro-scale internal structure of diamond consists of a rigid, unyielding "fusion" of carbon tetrahedra. The great scientist and architect, Buckminster Fuller, declared that the tetrahedron is the sturdiest geometrical form in the universe. Now imagine very, very many tetrahedron forms fused together and you have a model for the atomic-scale structure of the diamond allotrope. You also have a model for the extreme hardness of diamond, as well!
Here is a Diagram indicating the amazing structure of Diamond.
Of course, the most visibly interesting attribute of a quality (i.e. high-purity) diamond is its "sparkle". That sparkle is a result of certain optical properties; also directly linked to diamond's stable tetrahedron geometry.
As always, thank you for reading!
A Publication of http://ExcellenceInLearning.biz
When asked to indicate what image is mentally formed upon hearing the word, "carbon", most people would likely say, "soot", "charcoal", or something else along those lines. Some of those people may be surprised to hear that the beautiful diamond is a pure form of carbon. How can a single element manifest itself in such a variety of vastly different forms?: Answer - By the incredible variety of bonds which carbon atoms can form, even with other carbon atoms!
Diamonds are formed deep under the earth's crust where immense pressure and heat force carbon to assume its most compact identity. The micro-scale internal structure of diamond consists of a rigid, unyielding "fusion" of carbon tetrahedra. The great scientist and architect, Buckminster Fuller, declared that the tetrahedron is the sturdiest geometrical form in the universe. Now imagine very, very many tetrahedron forms fused together and you have a model for the atomic-scale structure of the diamond allotrope. You also have a model for the extreme hardness of diamond, as well!
Here is a Diagram indicating the amazing structure of Diamond.
Of course, the most visibly interesting attribute of a quality (i.e. high-purity) diamond is its "sparkle". That sparkle is a result of certain optical properties; also directly linked to diamond's stable tetrahedron geometry.
As always, thank you for reading!
A Publication of http://ExcellenceInLearning.biz