LESSON 4: The Nature of Solids

The Nature of Solids

OBJECTIVES:

describe the difference in structure of crystalline and amorphous solids.

Crystalline solids

are those whose atoms, ions, or molecules are ordered in well-defined

arrangements.
They usually have flat surfaces or faces, and sharp angles.
These solids have regular shapes.
Examples: ice, sugar, salt, and gems

Amorphous solids

(from Greek word for “without form”)

are solids whose particles do not have orderly structures; therefore, they have
poorly-defined shapes