Is it possible to turn coal into diamonds?

From: Science and Children | Date: December 1, 2006| Author: | Copyright information

Byline: Bill Robertson

How cool would it be to be Lois Lane? Anytime she wants a diamond, she just has Superman use his super strength to squeeze a lump of coal. But is this really possible? Using a high enough temperature and enough pressure, can you turn coal into diamonds? To answer this, we have to address the nature and formation of coal and the nature and formation of diamonds. First, though, we have to talk about the carbon atom and what makes it so special.

"My carbon is too soft"

"My carbon is too impure"

"My carbon is just right."

Brian Diskin

...

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