since a diamond is made up of carbon atoms, I wonder whether a diamond can burn up (e.g. house fire) or disintegrate at high temperature (e.g. heat in a safe during a house fire)
Asker: Eric, 39 years old
Answer
Dear Eric,
Your reasoning is correct, since diamond is made up of carbon atoms it will burn in the presence of oxygen or air. For this, a temperature of 600 to 800°C would have to be reached at 1 atmosphere in air. So holding a match to a diamond will not immediately lead to a flame. On the other hand, in the event of a fire in a house, existing diamonds can possibly burn up, because the temperature rises above 600°C.
Regards
Answered by
Prof. dr. Dirk Vanderzande
Hasselt University
Agoralaan University Campus Building D BE-3590 Diepenbeek
http://www.uhasselt.be/
Agoralaan University Campus Building D BE-3590 Diepenbeek
http://www.uhasselt.be/
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