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Have you ever wondered what the difference is between crystalline and amorphous materials? Many people use these terms interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two! In this article, we will discuss the differences between crystalline and amorphous materials, as well as some of the benefits and drawbacks of each. Stay tuned to learn more!
What are Solids?
Before we can discuss the difference between crystalline and amorphous materials, we need to first understand what solids are. Solids are defined as materials that have a definite shape and volume. This means that they cannot be compressed or expanded – they will always maintain the same shape and size. Some examples of solids include:- Metals
- Glass
- Rocks
- Diamonds
What Is Crystalline Solid?
It is a material whose molecules, atoms, or ions are arranged in an orderly repeating pattern in three dimensions. The word “crystal” comes from the Greek word for ice, because ice was one of the first materials studied that exhibited this type of structure. Examples of crystalline solids include salt (sodium chloride or NaCl), diamond, and quartz.What Is Amorphous Solid?
An amorphous solid is a material whose atoms, molecules, or ions are not arranged in an orderly repeating pattern in three dimensions. Glass is an example of an amorphous solid. Unlike crystalline solids, the atoms in amorphous solids are not in any specific order. Amorphous solids can be either a solid or a liquid, depending on the temperature. Examples are: Plastic, Paint, GlassKey Differences Between Crystalline and Amorphous Solids
- Shape: Crystalline solids have an ordered, repeating structure while amorphous solids do not
- Size: Crystalline solids are usually smaller than amorphous solids
- Crystal Structure: In crystalline solids, atoms are arranged in a specific geometric pattern, amorphous materials lack this precise ordering
- Nature: Crystalline solids are generally hard and brittle while amorphous solids are softer and more pliable
- Chemical Stability: Crystalline materials are more chemically stable than amorphous ones
- Intermolecular Forces: Crystalline substances have stronger intermolecular forces than amorphous substances
