Yes it is hardest substance becoz----:

In diamond, these electrons are shared with four other carbon atoms to form very strong chemical bonds resulting in an extremely rigid tetrahedral crystal.

Diamond: The Hardest Substance in the World?

Diamond is widely known as one of the hardest substances in the world. However, it is essential to explore the concept of hardness and compare diamond with other substances to fully understand its properties.

Understanding Hardness

Hardness refers to a material's resistance to scratching or indentation. It is measured on the Mohs scale, which ranks minerals on a scale of 1 to 10 based on their relative hardness. The scale is logarithmic, meaning that each mineral is ten times harder than the one before it. For example, a mineral with a hardness of 7 is ten times harder than a mineral with a hardness of 6.

Allotropes of Carbon

Carbon is a versatile element that can form different allotropes, meaning different structural arrangements of the same atoms. The three most common allotropes of carbon are diamond, graphite, and fullerenes.

1. Diamond: Diamond is a three-dimensional network of carbon atoms arranged in a tetrahedral lattice. Each carbon atom forms strong covalent bonds with four neighboring carbon atoms, resulting in a rigid and tightly packed structure. This arrangement gives diamond its exceptional hardness.

2. Graphite: Graphite, on the other hand, has a layered structure. Carbon atoms form strong covalent bonds within each layer, but weak van der Waals forces hold the layers together. This arrangement allows the layers to slide over each other easily, giving graphite its lubricating properties.

3. Fullerenes: Fullerenes are spherical or ellipsoidal carbon molecules with various numbers of carbon atoms. These molecules have a cage-like structure and exhibit unique physical and chemical properties.

Diamond's Exceptional Hardness

Diamond's exceptional hardness arises from its unique crystal structure. The strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms make it difficult to break the lattice, resulting in a substance that is extremely resistant to scratching or indentation.

Compared to other substances:

- Diamond has a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, making it the hardest mineral known.
- The next hardest mineral, corundum (which includes rubies and sapphires), has a hardness of 9.
- Other common materials like steel and glass have a hardness of around 5 to 7.

Conclusion

In conclusion, diamond is indeed one of the hardest substances in the world. Its exceptional hardness is a result of its unique crystal structure, where carbon atoms form strong covalent bonds in a three-dimensional lattice. Understanding the concept of hardness and comparing diamond to other substances helps us appreciate its remarkable properties.