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Diamond is harder than graphite because diamond has a more complex structure.
Diamond's structure is like many pentagons connected together, each pentagon sharing a side with another pentagon or each pentagon sharing a point with another pentagon. All the points are linked together in some way.
Graphite's structure is very loose, with its bonds forming layers. There will be one sheet of elements bonded together, but then another sheet of bonds of elements will lay on top of that, and there will be very weak bonds holding those sheets together.
Diamond's intricate structure of interwoven bonds makes it much harder and stronger than graphite, which has bonds in loose sheets.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoOn the other hand, in diamond each carbon atom is the same distance to each of its neighboring carbon atoms. In this rigid network atoms cannot move. This explains why diamonds are so hard and have such a high melting point.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoThe molecular structure of diamonds make them harder than graphite. In addition, the atoms of diamonds are packed more densely together than are atoms of any other mineral.
- Diamond's crystal habit is octahedral, and its crystal system is isometric-hexoctahedral.
- Graphite's crystal habit is tabular, six-sided foliated masses and granular to compacted masses. It's crystal system is hexagonal.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe hardness of a lot of minerals and materials usually depends on the structural arrangements of the atoms and the chemical bonds. Graphite, although made of the same material as diamond has a structure that is considerably less strong. The factor density also contributes in some cases.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoBecause of the way it is structured. Diamonds have a diamond structure while graphite has a more malleable one.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe crystal lattice of diamond is three dimensional while graphite's is planar. The crystals of graphite have essentially no attraction to each other and slide around like stacks of paper.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoBecause the atoms are carbon are arranged differently.
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Why is graphite softer than diamond?
The crystalline structure of graphite and diamond are very different.
Is enamel harder than a diamond?
No, diamond is harder than enamel.
Why graphite is less denser than diamond?
larger crystals
Is diamond harder than a metal?
Yes, harder than any metal.
What does graphite turn into when put under pressure?
Diamond, which like , graphite, is an allotrope of carbon . If you heat diamond it weill turn to graphite.
Graphite is more common than diamond?
Yes, graphite is more common than diamond.
Why is graphite softer than diamond?
The crystalline structure of graphite and diamond are very different.
Why is diamond so much harder then graphite?
Diamond is so much harder than graphite because the carbon atoms in diamond are bonded to other carbon atoms tetrahedrally. In graphite, the carbon atoms are only bonded to three other carbon atoms and form sheets. There is one valence electron that wanders the surface which makes graphite a conductor.
Is emerald harder than diamond?
No. Diamond is harder than emerald.
Is enamel harder than a diamond?
No, diamond is harder than enamel.
Which is harder diamond or plastic?
Diamond is harder than plastic.
What is harder diamond or onyx?
Diamond is harder than onyx.
How are diamonds and graphites different and the same?
Different is only the arrangement of atoms in diamond or graphite. Diamond and graphite are allotropic forms of carbon.
What other stone which looks and shines like diamond but harder than diamond?
nothings harder than a diamond
Which is harder diamond or metal?
Diamond is harder than any metal.
Is diamond harder than gypsum?
Yes, diamond is harder than granite. Diamond is the hardest mineral known. And it is several times harder than granite.
Which one is harder diamond or steel?
Diamond is harder than steel: you can scratch steel with a diamond, but steel will not scratch a diamond.
