Scientists have used a new technique to synthesize diamonds at normal, atmospheric pressure and without a starter gem, which could make the precious gemstones easier to grow in the lab.
Carbon, compressed hard enough it becomes diamond, forms a square crystal lattice that is so crazy stable that it’s very resistant to change (including from burning).
I don’t know specific temps, but graphite forms a hexagonal lattice that is highly stable on 2 dimensions. The bonds between layers of hexagons are weaker which lets it be brittle in all the ways we love graphite. I’m not sure how this specific geometry changes the affinity to bond to oxygen.
Carbon, compressed hard enough it becomes diamond, forms a square crystal lattice that is so crazy stable that it’s very resistant to change (including from burning).
Is diamond more resistant to burning than other forms of carbon? I thought even lowly graphite is pretty stable at high temperatures…
I don’t know specific temps, but graphite forms a hexagonal lattice that is highly stable on 2 dimensions. The bonds between layers of hexagons are weaker which lets it be brittle in all the ways we love graphite. I’m not sure how this specific geometry changes the affinity to bond to oxygen.