Can diamonds actually cut glass? How does that work and why can’t other materials cut it as well?
In: 4
Diamond is a state of carbon formed under intense pressure and heat. The carbon atoms are all interlocked in a matrix where each bond angle is 109.5 degrees. This provides a level of stability and hardness that is second to almost nothing.
Graphite is a counter example. Instead of this matrix I describe, graphite carbon is bonded in planes or sheets that shave easily. This is why pencils leave behind substance on paper.
The 109.5 degree bond angle is a motif present in a lot of chemistry, and as molecular structures have bonds that approach this number they become more stable. This angle occurs a lot in organic compounds as well.
Latest Answers