Which of the following forces bind together carbon atoms in diamond?

Options

A. Ionic
B. Covalent
C. Dipolar
D. van der Waal's

Explanation

To determine the forces that bind together carbon atoms in diamond, we can break down the solution into the following steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of Diamond
Diamond is a crystalline form of carbon where each carbon atom is bonded to four other carbon atoms. This creates a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure.

**Hint:** Remember that diamond is an allotrope of carbon, and its structure is crucial to understanding the bonding.

### Step 2: Identify the Hybridization of Carbon in Diamond
In diamond, each carbon atom undergoes sp³ hybridization. This means that one s orbital and three p orbitals combine to form four equivalent sp³ hybrid orbitals.

**Hint:** Hybridization helps explain the geometry and bonding of the atoms in a molecule.

### Step 3: Analyze the Bonding Between Carbon Atoms
The carbon atoms in diamond are bonded together through covalent bonds. Each carbon atom forms single covalent bonds with three other carbon atoms, resulting in a strong and stable structure.

**Hint:** Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, which is essential for the stability of the diamond structure.

### Step 4: Conclude the Type of Forces Present
The primary forces that bind carbon atoms in diamond are covalent forces. These covalent bonds create a rigid and hard structure, which is characteristic of diamond.

**Hint:** Consider how the nature of the bonds contributes to the physical properties of diamond, such as its hardness.

### Final Answer
The forces that bind together carbon atoms in diamond are covalent bonds.