Question

Write two physical properties of diamond.

Answer 1

Hint : Diamond is an example of allotropes of carbon. It has very strong covalent bonds. It has very high lustrous faces.

Complete step by step solution:
A chemical element may exist in two or more forms in which there is a difference in the arrangement of the atoms or occurrence of molecules. These are called allotropes. In allotropes, the bonds, in which the atoms are held, may also differ. For example, two allotropes of oxygen are dioxygen and ozone.
Carbon has a lot of allotropes which may include diamond, graphite, graphene, fullerene etc. Among these, diamond is the hardest allotrope. It is a transparent crystal. Carbon atoms are arranged very rigidly.

Diamond has different kinds of properties:

1. Color
2. Thermodynamics
3. Chemical stability
4. Crystal structure
5. Mechanical properties
6. Surface property

Among the natural materials known, diamond is the hardest one. This hardness is due to its crystalline nature, purity and orientation. It is used as a gemstone. It has a very high resistive power to breakage. Diamond is also used as semiconductors. Water cannot be stuck to the surface of diamond, but oil or fats can. Thus oil can be used to extract diamonds. When diamonds are treated with heat, oxygen containing functional groups get removed.

Additional information:
Diamond is directional. It will shatter when hit with a hammer. Impurities and structural defects are the cause of its color. Pure diamonds are colorless.

Note :
Synthetic diamonds are the diamonds produced through chemical and physical processes in laboratory conditions. It is also known as CVD diamond. They are produced under high temperature and pressure.