Hobbies And Interests
Burn Diamonds using heat
Diamonds burn at a temperature of 760 degrees Celsius or 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is considered the combustion temperature. Conduct an experiment in the laboratory to test the temperature at which diamonds will burn and form carbon dioxide gas. Place a diamond in a laboratory oven that can reach at least 760 degrees Celsius or 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. As the carbon in the diamond is burned, it forms carbon dioxide gas, as well as a milky precipitate substance. Check the diamond and monitor the temperature every five minutes for results. Please use all laboratory safety precautions when working with chemicals or technical laboratory equipment.
Burn Diamonds using Solution
The addition of oxygen and calcium hydroxide solution to a diamond breaks the tight carbon bonds in the diamond, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide and the formation of white precipitate. Insert a diamond into a quartz tube. Place the tube into a beaker of calcium hydroxide. Pass a stream of oxygen over the tube and beaker of calcium hydroxide. Observe as the diamond turns a bright white color as the oxygen gas reacts with the solution and forms white precipitate. Record observations and remember to include pictures in your science project.
Diamond Hardness Test
Conduct an experiment to test the tight chemical bond formation of carbon atoms in a diamond. Diamonds are composed of extremely hard material and will only break using a chisel at a specific angle due to the bonding of the carbon atoms. Test different methods to see if you are able to split the diamond. Lay the diamond on a flat surface and try to break it with different objects such as a hammer or brick. Drop the diamond on the floor to see if it splits. Observe and record results. Lastly, use a chisel on the diamond. The chisel should allow you to split the diamond. If you are having trouble, try moving the chisel to different angles on the diamond. Despite its hardness, if you hit a diamond at the right angle with a chisel, it will split to form two stones since enough pressure is added to the plane of carbon atoms within the diamond.
Burn a diamond using a current
Fill a Florence flask with oxygen and pour three ounces of lime water into the flask as well. Place a stopper on the flask. Take the stopper of the flask and feed in two wires from a galvanic battery. Join the wires inside the flask using a platinum wire wound around the diamond. Turn on the current from the battery. Observe as the platinum wire glows and the diamonds burst into a flame. The lime water should turn a milky color from the carbonic acid formed from the diamond burning. Record results and take pictures. Remember to practice laboratory safety precautions while conducting the experiment.