Question

Humans use minerals and rocks for every object we have. Choose ONE mineral, mineraloid, or rock that has been important enough to mine for our human civilization. Explain how we use it in our lives. You should not post a choice that already has been posted by another student. Post NEEDS to be a minimum of 300 words. (I already asked this question here but the answer I got was all over the place. Just a suggestion, Diamond or Bronze are good ones. Also thank you in advance :) )

Answer 1

Diamonds are one of the solid forms of carbon. Diamond has its atoms arranged like a crystal structure which is known diamond cubic. Diamond produces the highest thermal conductivity and hardness among any other natural material

As the diamond has the cubic structure it is very rigid. It is one of the purest natural material found in the earth. Only very few impurities can be found in except nitrogen and boron. Diamonds have a high ability to disperse light.

Most natural diamonds which are found today are older than 1 million. They have been formed under the earth surface below 250-300 km. Where carbon atoms have formed diamonds due to high pressure of mantle. Later they have come to the upper part of lithosphere through the process of volcanism. Synthetic diamonds can be made. It is being made from high-purity carbon which goes through high pressures and temperatures or it is made from hydrocarbon gas by the chemical vapor deposition process.

Diamond plays a very important role in human civilization. We all know that it is very important jewelry. The diamond as jewelry is being used to show high societal status. But not only diamond is used as a gift or jewelry in the rich society. It is a very big industry. Diamond is not only used as jewellery it has many other implications in the modern industry. Diamonds play a very important role in the cutting and polishing industry as it is one of the hardest natural elements to be found scoring 10 in the Mohs Hardness Scale. They are also used for drilling. Diamond cutters are also used in disaster management as this cutter can cut anything. Also, a recent study by the University of Cardiff found that diamonds especially the nanodiamonds can use an indicator to test the effectiveness of the cancer drugs. Diamonds are also used in speakers as it can vibrate more than other , materials producing more sound and base.

Not only the diamond has many uses. It affects human civilization through its economic impact. The diamond industry is a big industry. From mining to polishing and selling it values over billions of dollars creating a huge job market. For many of the people, diamond is the only source of income, especially in African countries.