16 Questions
What term describes the regular repeating three-dimensional structure formed by the constituents of a solid?
Crystal lattice
What is the defining feature of crystalline solids?
Regular ordered arrays
What characteristic distinguishes crystalline solids when exposed to x-rays?
Distinctive internal structures
What does the term 'amorphous' mean in the context of solids?
Shapeless
In crystalline solids, what are the positions of the atoms, molecules, or ions considered to be?
Essentially fixed in space
What do the characteristic angles produced by crystalline structures depend on?
Regular repeating arrangement of atoms, molecules, or ions
What characteristic property distinguishes amorphous solids from crystalline solids?
They have poorly defined patterns under x-rays
Why do amorphous solids tend to have irregular, often curved surfaces when cleaved or broken?
As a result of impurities that disrupt the lattice
What determines the angles at which the faces of a covalent solid such as a cut diamond meet?
The arrangement of carbon atoms in the crystal
Why do ionic crystals break along fixed planes when cleaved?
Because of the repulsive interactions during cleavage
What characteristic property allows crystalline solids to have sharp, well-defined melting points?
The regularity of the crystalline lattice
What type of solid is characterized by having a highly ordered arrangement of silicon and oxygen atoms?
Crystalline quartz
What determines the local environments in a crystalline lattice to be the same?
The same distance from the same number and type of neighbors
What causes some substances to solidify in amorphous form when the liquid phase is cooled rapidly enough?
Rapid cooling of the liquid phase
What determines whether a substance forms amorphous or crystalline structure when solidifying?
The cooling rate of the liquid phase
Why does amorphous aluminum form only when cooled at an extraordinary rate?
The rapid cooling rate preventing regular array formation
Test your knowledge of crystalline and amorphous solids, intermolecular forces, and particle arrangements in solid materials. Explore the concepts of ionic, molecular, covalent, and metallic bonding.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
