How is a diamond the strongest material in the world?

Question

I've heard that a diamond is the strongest material in the world since a diamond can only be cut by another diamond. I do not understand that. Can't it be cut or broken with a chainsaw or something? Even possibly a very strong hammer?

Answer 1

it just is..

Answer 2

the structure of it cause it 2 b really strong. it is te exact same thing as coal just different molecular structure

Answer 3

same here, i hit a chep one whith a hamer and it dirint keep its original form, i want to try it whith a more espensive one and see what happens. :P

Answer 4

its not the strongest substance

its the strongest "natural" substance

its just compressed carbon (coal)

Answer 5

yes ! diamond is the strongest material ,bcoz it has sp3 hybridisation i.e strong bond between two corborns.no  it can't be cut with a hammer . it is tooo hard.diamond can only be cut by another diamond  is just like a proverb.

Answer 6

Firstly, Diamonds are the toughest substances on earth because of their molecular bonds. They harder to separate than any other material's bonds. So if they have the strongest bonds how can they be broken with another material of weaker bond? They can't be because that other material's bonds will break first. Thats why other diamonds are used.

Secondly, cutting diamonds involves using another diamond, but this is still not effective enough so the second diamond is given velocity as well (spins).

Answer 7

The structure of a diamond is basically a double pyramid - octahedron. A pyramid is triangular in cross-section, and a triangle is the strongest geometrical shape there is. Thus a diamond's molecular structure gives it maximum possible strength.

http://fastgeometry.com/images/octahedro...

Answer 8

Diamond is the strongest material due to its chemical structure. It shares four covalent bonds with other carbon atoms in a densely-packed lattice of pure carbon. One diamond is in essence an extremely large carbon molecule.

Answer 9

At the moment diamond is the top matterial in the Mohs Scale (10). Hardest means, it has the best resistance in scratches compared to other minerals, meaning diamond cannot be scratched by ANY other known matterial in the world. If you want to break a diamon just hit it with a plain hammer.

Answer 10

Since we see the results every day in jewelry stores, we know that rough diamonds can be cut, but only by other diamonds -- usually in the form of diamond dust..

In most cases, a diamond will be cut with a saw blade. Since diamonds are the hardest material known (which means they cannot be scratched with any other substance), only diamonds can cut diamonds. So the diamond is securely mounted and held against a thin alloy blade impregnated with diamond dust and covered with linseed oil. As the blade turns, it carries small particles of new diamond dust which sticks to the oil and continues the process until the entire diamond is split in two. This can take several days for a diamond over 1 carat or more.

Answer 11

It's because diamond is incredibly dense.  When coal is under a lot of pressure (say, miles underground), the matter within is compressed together, until it becomes a diamond.  The denser something is, the harder it is to break.

Answer 12

No, a chainsaw might scratch it but it won't destroy it. You'll need a lot of force to break the carbon bonding structure. Smashing it with a hammer won't work, unless that hammer was diamond itself and you have a very strong arm.

Now a days, diamonds are cut with lasers.

Answer 13

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Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

The question has two answers. Materials that are strongest in compression are not necessarily strongest in tension or bending (stiffness). Diamond is likely the strongest material in compression because it was forged deep within the earth under tremendous pressures (and can be made in the lab under great concentrated pressure). The strongest material in tension is likely a carbon fiber (especially on a weight/volume basis). However, to be useful the carbon fibers are generally bonded together into ropes or sheets using various resins (like fiberglas sports cars?) and the strength of the composit depends on the type (tow) of carbon fiber, how produced (production temperature and even tensioning during production) and the strength of the resin (especially at operating temperature). Carbon nano-tubes will likely produce the strongest carbon fibers under tension and some folks even plan to use them to tether space satelites to the earth!

2 years ago