AMORPHOUS

SOLIDS
--NOVEM
NOVEM
01.
Amorphous Solids
WHATARE
WHAT AREAMORPHOUS
AMORPHOUS SOLIDS?
SOLIDS?
• Isotropic in nature
• Non-crystalline
• Consist of particles with irregular shape
• Do not have sharp melting points

Due to random organization of particles, amorphous solids have the same physical properties
along all directions. Random organization of particles also results in unequal bond strengths. From a
flexible rubber-like state, amorphous solids turn into a brittle glass-like state upon cooling . This is
called glass-transition. In other words, amorphous solids soften gradually when they are heated.
They tend to melt over a wide range of temperature. This behavior is a result of the variation in the
arrangement of particles in their structures, causing some parts of the solid to melt ahead of other
parts.
EXAMPLES:
EXAMPLES:

RUBBER
RUBBER COAL
COAL GLASS
GLASS
PLASTIC
PLASTIC GELS
GELS METALLIC
METALLIC
GLASS
GLASS
POLYMERS
POLYMERS FUSEDSILICA
FUSED SILICA PITCH TAR
PITCH TAR
THINFILM
THIN FILM WAX
WAX ETC
ETC
LUBRICANTS
LUBRICANTS