A wide range of crystalline solids of non-metal form covalent bond between adjacent atoms throughout the crystal and form a giant molecule or large molecules.
- These solids are hard like diamond and soft like graphite which are isotopes of carbon.
- They are insulators as in the case of a diamond but in case of graphite due to free electrons, they conduct electricity and act as a conductor.
Amorphous Solid State
Amorphous solid-state comprises of those solids which have the property of rigidity and incompressibility but to a certain extent. They do not have a definite geometrical form or long range of order. Examples include glass, rubber, plastic, etc.
Properties of Amorphous Solids
- Amorphous solids are gradually softened over a range of temperature and they can be moulded into different shapes on heating.
- Amorphous solids are pseudo solids or super cooled liquids which means they have a tendency to flow very slowly. If you observe that the glass pans which is fixed to windows of old buildings they are found to be slightly thicker from the bottom than at the top.
- Amorphous solids have irregular shape i.e. their constituent particles do not have definite geometry of arrangements.
- When amorphous solids are cut with a sharp edge tool they form pieces with irregular surfaces.
- Amorphous solids do not have definite heat of fusion due to its irregular arrangement of the particles.
- Amorphous solids are isotropic in nature which means the value of any physical property would be same along any direction because of the irregular arrangement of particles.
Amorphous Solids Uses
Amorphous silicons which is one of the best photovoltaic material converts sunlight into electricity.
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