General chemistryLesson 1 of 2 in the course Liquids and Solids

Crystalline Solids: Bonding, Melting, Allotropes, and Defects

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 3 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Solids differ in how their particles are arranged and in the forces that hold those particles together. These differences help explain why some solids are brittle, some conduct electricity, and some melt only at very high temperatures.

A crystalline solid has atoms, ions, or molecules arranged in a definite, repeating pattern. Many liquids form crystalline solids when cooled, as their particles settle into an orderly structure.

All flashcards

What is a crystalline solid?
A solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules occupy a definite, repeating arrangement.
What is an amorphous solid?
A noncrystalline solid whose particles lack an ordered internal pattern and are arranged more randomly; candle wax is one example.
Why do solid ionic compounds usually not conduct electricity?
Their ions are held in fixed positions and cannot move through the solid to carry electric charge. Molten or dissolved ionic compounds conduct because their ions can move.
What is metallic bonding, and what properties does it help explain?
Metallic bonding is the attraction associated with metal nuclei in a shared sea of delocalized electrons. It helps explain metals' electrical and thermal conductivity, luster, and malleability.
What holds a covalent network solid together?
An extended network of covalent bonds links its atoms. Breaking or melting the solid requires breaking these strong bonds, which contributes to its hardness and high melting point.

Quiz questions

  1. How does the melting behavior of a typical crystalline solid differ from that of an amorphous solid?Answer: A crystalline solid melts at a precise temperature; an amorphous solid softens over a range.
  2. Why are diamond and graphite different in hardness?Answer: Their carbon atoms have different structures, giving diamond exceptional hardness and graphite softness.
  3. Which combination of properties describes graphene?Answer: It is strong, lightweight, and conducts heat and electricity exceptionally well.
  4. What is a vacancy defect in a crystal?Answer: A position that should contain an atom or ion is empty.
  5. Why is silicon deliberately doped for use in semiconductors?Answer: Small amounts of impurities are added to adjust its electrical properties.

Based on Chemistry 2e by Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley, William R. Robinson, PhD (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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