Skip to main content
CNNfyi.com >Lesson Plans
Select a section:




CNN NEWSROOM
Daily guide
Guide Archives
Transcript
Program Calender
Enroll now

CNN Newsroom is a commercial-free TV program for classrooms. It airs at 4:30 a.m. ET Monday-Friday on CNN TV
STUDENT BUREAU

What is Student Bureau?
How can I participate?
Locate Student Bureau
In partnership with: Harcourt

Discover the science of diamonds

Lesson Plans by subject 

November 20, 2001
Web posted at: 4:25 PM EST (2125 GMT)


Overview: Why are diamonds so valuable? Have students use the article to learn about the formation and mining of diamonds. Diamonds, one of four types of crystals, are covalent network crystals. Have students compare and contrast the four types of crystals. Challenge students to use information from the article, and additional supporting evidence to predict whether diamonds may be found on the moon, Uranus and Neptune.

Curriculum connections: Science, Chemistry, Technology

Objectives
Students will be able to:

  • Identify how diamonds are formed and mined.
  • Compare and contrast the four types of crystals.
  • Formulate opinions why diamonds may be found on the moon, Neptune and Uranus.

Standards
Benchmarks On-Line
Materials and manufacturing, grades nine - 12
High school students should have an increased knowledge of the molecular structure of materials helps in the design and synthesis of new materials for special purposes.

Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning
Physical Sciences, Standard 8, grades nine-12
High school students should know that the physical properties of a compound are determined by its molecular structure (e.g., constituent atoms, distances and angles between them) and the interactions among these molecules.

Materials
CNNfyi.com article "Mining the hardy, much-desired diamond"
Internet access

Suggested time
Article and questions only: 30 minutes
Full lesson plan: Two to three classroom periods

Procedure 1. Have students read the CNNfyi.com article "Mining the hardy, much-desired diamond," and ask the following:

  • On what continent are five of the seven mining nations located? How was the discovery of the first diamond beneficial to South Africa? How do you think diamond mines might impact a nation's economy? Explain.

  • What elements are found in a diamond? Where are diamonds formed? Why do they have to be deeper than 150 kilometers below the Earth's surface? What is the significance of the fact that diamonds are a non-renewable natural resource? What are some other examples of non-renewable natural resources? Do you think limits should be placed on mining diamonds? Why or why not?

  • What is kimberlite? What minerals indicate that a diamond might be present? How are diamonds mined? What are some differences and similarities between the two mining methods? Who is Brian Roodt? Why does he think the mining process is environmentally friendly? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

2. Point out to students that a crystal is a substance in which atoms or molecules are arranged in an orderly, geometric and repeating pattern. There are four types of crystals: ionic crystals, covalent network crystals, metallic crystals and covalent molecular crystals. Diamonds are covalent network crystals. Have students identify examples of crystals in each classification. Direct students to create a graphic organizer to compare and contrast the four types of crystals. Students might want to consider their properties, melting points and the conductivity of metals. Have students share their findings with the class.

Assessment
Point out to students that Neptune and Uranus contain a high proportion of methane. Robin Benedetti, a graduate student in physics, and Raymond Jeanloz, professor of geology and geophysics at UC Berkeley demonstrated that methane can convert to diamond as well as other complex hydrocarbons in the interiors of giant planets like Neptune. Have students use information from the article and additional supporting evidence to predict whether or not diamonds may be found on the moon and Uranus as well as Neptune. Invite students to share their findings with the class.

Challenge
Inform students that diamond is a fundamental industrial material that affects daily lives. Pair students. Direct them to use their textbooks and online or print resources to determine the primary roles diamonds have in industrial technology and how a diamond's structure affects its properties such as density, ability to conduct heat, hardness and melting point. Based on their research, students should create a chart that explains how a diamond's properties affect how it is used now and how diamonds may be used in the future

Extensions
1. Students can identify the two methods used to make artificial diamonds. Then determine how the two methods for producing artificial diamonds are similar? Have students share their findings with the class.

2. Density is the ration of mass to volume, or mass divided by volume. Diamond has a density of 3.26 g/cm3. What is the mass of a diamond that has a volume of 0.350cm3?



RELATED SITES:
• kimberlites
• Howstuffworks "How Diamonds Work"
• Diamonds | American Museum of Natural History

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

Partner Resources:
Education Partners
WORLD EVENTS / GEOGRAPHY
  • Holt, Rinehart and Winston: The Founding of Israel

  • Holt, Rinehart and Winston: General Info on Palestine

  • U.S. HISTORY / GOVERNMENT
  • Holt, Rinehart and Winston: Government

  • Holt: Oral Histories Interviews

  • Holt: The Census and History

  • SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY
  • Holt: Periodic Table

  • ECONOMICS / MATHEMATICS
  • Holt, Rinehart and Winston: Economics

  • LANGUAGE & FINE ARTS / MEDIA
  • Holt: Evaluation Rubrics

  • HEALTH / LIFE SKILLS
  • Holt: Eating disorders



  • feedback
       
      © 2001 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
    An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
    Terms under which this service is provided to you.
    Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us.
    BACK TO TOP