Properties of

Crystalline Solids
Solids
Two major types.
Amorphous- those with much
disorder in their structure.
Crystalline- have a regular
arrangement of components in
their structure.
Glass is an optically transparent fusion
product of inorganic materials that has cooled
to a rigid state without crystallizing

Crystalline Non-crystalline
quartz (SiO2) quartz glass
11.7
Crystals

Form a Lattice- a three dimensional

grid that describes the locations of
the pieces in a crystalline solid.
Unit Cell-The smallest repeating unit
in of the lattice.
lattice
point

Unit Cell Unit cells in 3 dimensions

At lattice points:
 Atoms
 Molecules
 Ions
11.4
 6

Types of Crystalline Solids

Network Covalent Solids
Ionic Solids
Metallic Solids
Molecular Solids
Network Covalent Crystals
Lattice points occupied by atoms
Held together by covalent bonds
Hard, extremely high melting point
Poor conductor of heat and electricity
Includes the allotropes of Carbon,
quartz (SiO2), silicon, & silicon carbide
ONLY.
Carbon- A Special Atomic Solid
There are three types of solid carbon.
Coal, amorphous (not crystalline).
Diamond- hardest natural substance on
earth, insulates both heat and electricity.
Graphite- brittle, slippery, conducts
electricity.
The atoms in these network solids are
connected differently which accounts for
their unique properties.
 carbon
atoms

diamond graphite

11.6
Fullerenes & Carbon Nanotubes
Synthetic—Carbon
Allotrope
Many Carbon atoms
with spherical or
elliptical shapes
Strong s bonds.
 Ionic Crystals
 Lattice points occupied by cations and anions
 Held together by electrostatic attraction
 High melting point, Low Vapor Pressure
 Brittle due to the repulsion of like charges
 Conduct heat and electricity only when ions are
mobile. (Liquid or Aqueous)

CsCl ZnS CaF2 11.6

Metallic Crystals
 Lattice points occupied by metal atoms
 Held together by metallic bonds
 Soft to hard, low to high melting point
 Good conductors of heat and electricity
Cross Section of a Metallic Crystal

nucleus &
inner shell e-

mobile “sea”
of e-

11.6
Alloys-Mixtures of Metals
Two Types: Interstitial and Substitutional
• In an interstitial alloy, the atoms tend
to make the lattice more ridged

Copper Steel Brass, Bronze,

(Iron & Carbon) Pewter
FYI: Stainless Steel is actually both Interstitial and
Substitutional because it also incorporates chromium.
Molecular Crystals
 Lattice points occupied by molecules
 Held together by intermolecular forces
 Soft solids with Low melting point
 Poor conductor of heat and electricity
 Tend to become very large biomolecules
or polymers.

11.6
 Types of Crystals
&
General Properties
See Page 475

11.6
Sort the following into the four
categories of Crystalline solids.
CO2
SiO2 Network Covalent Ionic
Si
CH4
Ru
I2
Metallic Molecular
KBr
H2O
NaOH
U
CaCO3
Now Sort the same compounds
from Highest to Lowest Melting
Point CO2
SiO2
Si
CH4
Ru
I2
KBr
H2O
NaOH
U
CaCO3
PH3