Zirconia, an oxide of zirconium, is often used as an affordable diamond substitute. Just like diamond, it is a colorless crystal which sparkles under sunlight. Which of the following physical properties do you think would help in differentiating between diamond and Zirconia—melting point, density, or physical state?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the physical properties of diamond and zirconia.
2. Step 2: Consider the melting point of both substances. Diamond has a very high melting point due to its strong covalent bonds, while zirconia also has a high melting point but is generally lower than diamond.
3. Step 3: Examine the density of both substances. Diamond has a density of about 3.5 g/cm³, whereas zirconia is denser, with a density around 5.6 g/cm³.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the physical state. Both diamond and zirconia are solid at room temperature, so this property does not help in differentiating them.
5. Step 5: Conclude that density is the most distinguishing physical property between diamond and zirconia, as it shows a significant difference.

Key Concepts

Melting Point

The melting point is the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid. It is a critical physical property that can help distinguish between substances, as different materials have unique melting points. For example, diamond has a very high melting point (around 3550°C), while zirconia melts at a lower temperature (around 2700°C), making this property useful for differentiation.

Density

Density is defined as mass per unit volume and is a key physical property that can be used to identify and differentiate materials. Diamonds have a density of about 3.5 g/cm³, whereas zirconia has a higher density of approximately 6 g/cm³. This significant difference in density can be a reliable indicator when comparing the two substances.

Physical State

The physical state of a substance refers to its form at a given temperature and pressure, typically categorized as solid, liquid, or gas. Both diamond and zirconia are solids at room temperature, which makes this property less useful for differentiation. However, understanding the physical state can provide context for their behavior under different conditions, such as temperature changes.