
Is it possible to burn diamonds?
By
Try 3 issues of BBC Science Focus Magazine for £5!
You can shine like a diamond, but do go too close to the light...
Asked by: Lucie Smatova, Loughborough
Advertisement
Yes. Diamonds are made from pure carbon, and carbon will burn in an oxygen atmosphere to produce carbon dioxide. However, you needn’t worry about leaving a diamond in the sun. It would take a temperature of 700-900°C before it started to burn, since the carbon atoms in a diamond are in a tight three-dimensional array that’s very hard to disrupt.
Advertisement
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
Authors
Advertisement
Advertisement
Sponsored Deals

January sale subscription offer!
- Try 3 issues of BBC Science Focus Magazine for just £5
- Risk - free offer! Cancel at any time when you subscribe via Direct Debit.
- FREE UK delivery.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Advertisement