Question

What is the difference between coal and a diamond?

Answer 1

Hint: Allotropes are the Elements which show different forms or structures due to the difference in the arrangement of atoms. These have different physical properties and same or different chemical properties. Carbon has 2 types of Allotropes-Crystalline (diamond, graphite, fullerene etc.) and Amorphous (coal, charcoal, lamp black etc.). Thus, both coal and diamond are Allotropes of carbon.

Complete answer:
The Major points of difference between diamond and coal are as follows-

Diamond	Coal
1.Diamond is crystalline in its structure (regular pattern of arrangement of carbon atoms is present where each carbon is surrounded by 4 other carbons forming a tetrahedron)	1. Coal is Amorphous in its structure (irregular arrangement of carbon atoms).
2. Diamond is a shinning, glimmery solid structure	2.Coal is a black solid which is generally obtained from the plant remains.
3. Diamond require much high pressure and heat to be Manufactured	3.Coal does not need much pressure and heat.
4. Diamond is pure in nature	4.Coal contains impurities of other Elements as well like Oxygen, Sulphur, Nitrogen etc.
5. Diamond because of its shining nature used in jewellery making as well as cutting tool	5.Coal has much commercial significance as it is used as fuel and highly used in steel industries and power generating plants and many more.
6.Diamonds are costly since very little is obtained.	6.Coal is much cheaper as it is obtained in large quantities.
7.Diamond is obtained from much deep down the earth crust	7.Coal is obtained very close to the earth crust.

Note:
Coal is of great significance in our thermal power plants however the burning of coal results in emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, soot particles which cause huge damage to our Environment. Also, the release of all these gases also causes respiratory disorders to people. Diamond is said to be the way it is forever however under special conditions it can also be burned.