Quote:
Originally Posted by Gardamorg
I don't understand, advanced calculus is easier than this.
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Which part don't you understand?
An
allotrope exists when an element's atoms bond together differently. Carbon has many allotropes: diamond, amorphous (coal, soot, etc), graphite, and fullerenes.
Diamond is very strong, because the carbon atoms are locked together in a tetrahedral lattice.
Graphite is composed of hexagonal lattices which are layered on top of each other. That's why graphite is used in pencils. The latticed layers slide off very easily.
Fullerenes are highly variable, and can be specifically engineered by chemists.
In short, you
can alter the way the carbon atoms are bonded together, but if the carbon atoms are not bonded to one another in a tetrahedral lattice, then it's
not diamond.
Hope that helps!
Merc
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