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Quiz about A Flash from the Dawn of Time Diamonds III
Quiz about A Flash from the Dawn of Time Diamonds III

A Flash from the Dawn of Time: Diamonds III Quiz


Much more than a mystical symbol or ultimate jewel, the history of diamonds extends backward to the birth of the universe.

A multiple-choice quiz by ragiel. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
ragiel
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
171,985
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Difficult
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
604
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Which of these is not a type of rock that can support the formation of diamonds? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. With which type of event is lonsdaleite associated? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which of these rocks is associated with the oldest diamonds? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. How is the age of diamonds determined? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Which is an effect of included boron atoms in a diamond crystal? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which is not a known effect of nitrogen atoms incorporated in a diamond crystal? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. A thermal conductivity test will not identify which diamond simulant? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Diamonds have a lower specific gravity than graphite (also a pure carbon crystal aggregate) because... Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. What property of diamond was discovered by scientist Antoine-Henri Becquerel? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. How did the carbon needed for diamond formation originate? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which of these is not a type of rock that can support the formation of diamonds?

Answer: Lonsdaleite

Lonsdaleite is a crystalline carbon mineral which shares many of diamond's characteristics, but has crystallized in a hexagonal rather than a cubic form. It has been called "type III diamond" but is considered a different mineral by most geologists. Most of the volcanic pipes that provide diamonds for mining are kimberlite, but lamproite pipes also produce significant numbers of fine stones.
2. With which type of event is lonsdaleite associated?

Answer: Meteor strikes

Lonsdaleite is less stable than diamond, and appears to be the configuration of carbon atoms most readily formed during catastrophic changes in heat and kinetic energy.
3. Which of these rocks is associated with the oldest diamonds?

Answer: Harzbergite

Diamonds from harzbergite are datable to three billion years ago. Eclogite diamonds can be nearly three billion, but most are younger. It is thought that organic carbon in the form of algae was part of the subduction process which promoted the formation of eclogite.
4. How is the age of diamonds determined?

Answer: Mass-spectrometry analysis of minute inclusions that crystallized within the diamond

Since the inclusions crystallized at the same time as the diamond, their chemical makeup is representative of the time of formation. Radioactive atoms decay at a known rate into more stable elements. By measuring the proportions of uranium to lead, for example, it is possible to calculate how long the process has been occurring, and thus the date of formation.
5. Which is an effect of included boron atoms in a diamond crystal?

Answer: all of these

Boron was thought to be the only element causing blue color in diamonds, but in the late 20th century some blue and gray-blue stones from Australia were tested and found to contain no boron. They were nonconductors of electricity. Boron was also believed to turn blue any diamond that contained it; some gray, but conductive stones have recently been described.
6. Which is not a known effect of nitrogen atoms incorporated in a diamond crystal?

Answer: Pink or purplish color

Nitrogen atoms are the most common cause of yellow, golden, or canary diamonds.
7. A thermal conductivity test will not identify which diamond simulant?

Answer: Moissanite

Moissanite (crystallized silicon carbide) has approximately the same thermal conductivity as diamond. Its optical and physical properties are quite different, however, so gemologists can identify it accurately.
8. Diamonds have a lower specific gravity than graphite (also a pure carbon crystal aggregate) because...

Answer: They don't. Their specific gravity is higher than that of graphite.

Diamond has specific gravity 3.51, graphite 2.20. The density of diamond is due to the very dense crystal structure formed under tremendous pressure.
9. What property of diamond was discovered by scientist Antoine-Henri Becquerel?

Answer: Color change with irradiation

Some of Becquerel's green-colored diamonds are kept at the Musee d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris. Their color has remained stable.
10. How did the carbon needed for diamond formation originate?

Answer: Nuclear fusion powered by the Big Bang

As was all existing matter and energy, as far as we know in 2004. Diamonds are found in some meteorites, proving that terrestrial origin is unnecessary. As the late Carl Sagan said, "We are all star-stuff."
Source: Author ragiel

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ozzz2002 before going online.
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