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Crystalline solid



Crystalline solids are solids whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in an orderly, geometric, three-dimensional structure; can be classified by shape or compositiona or class of solids that have regular or nearly-regular crystalline structures. This means that the atoms in these solids are arranged in an orderly manner. Solids are divided into two types:

  • crystalline solids
  • amorphous solids

These two are differentiated on the basis of their physical properties. Crystalline solids are of a definite shape and have a definite melting point, while amorphous solid have no definite shape and melt at a range of temperatures. Crystalline solids are also known for their anisotropic nature, whereas amorphous solids are isotropic.

Crystal Particles Attractive Forces Melting point Other properties
Ionic Positive and negative ions Electrostatic attractions High Hard, brittle, good electrical conductor in molten state
Molecular Polar molecules London force and dipole-dipole attraction Low Soft, non-conductor or extremely poor conductor of electricity in liquid state
Molecular Non-polar molecules London force Low Soft, non-conductor or extremely poor conductor of electricity in liquid state
Network Atoms Covalent bonds Very high Very hard, non-conductor of electricity
Metallic Positive ions and mobile electrons Metallic bonds Fairly high Hard or soft, malleable and ductile, good electrical conductor

See also

 
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Crystalline_solid". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
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