Diamond vs Graphite

Property Diamond Graphite
الصيغة الكيميائية C C
النظام البلوري Cubic (Isometric) N/A
صنف المعدن 01 Native Elements N/A
صلادة موس 10.0 N/A
اللون Colorless, yellow, brown, blue, green, pink N/A
اللمعان Adamantine N/A
لون الخط None N/A
الشفافية Transparent N/A
الانفصام Perfect octahedral {111} N/A
الكسر Conchoidal N/A

Key Differences

  • Diamond (hardness 10) is the hardest natural mineral; graphite (hardness 1–2) is one of the softest — yet both are pure carbon.
  • Diamond has a tetrahedral sp3 crystal structure; graphite has layered sp2 sheets held by weak van der Waals forces.
  • Diamond is transparent with adamantine luster; graphite is opaque with metallic to dull luster.
  • Diamond is an electrical insulator; graphite is a good electrical conductor.
  • Diamond forms under extreme pressure in the mantle; graphite forms at low pressure in metamorphic rocks.

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