Diamond molecular structure, illustration. Diamond is a form (allotrope) of the element carbon. Carbon atoms are shown as spheres, linked by rigid bonds. Each carbon atom in a diamond molecule is at the centre of a tetrahedron, linked to four other atoms at the corners of the tetrahedron by strong covalent bonds. This repeating tetrahedral arrangement allows no rotation about the bonds, and so the structure is completely rigid, making diamond the hardest known naturally-occurring material. It is used in industry to tip heavy-duty cutting and drilling equipment, and is also a precious gemstone. For illustrations showing the tetrahedral unit cell, see images C042/4530 to C042/4533. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Jensen, Mikkel Juul |
Bildgröße: | 6910 px × 5058 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |