Amorphous Insights The Science of Non-Crystalline Solids

Amorphous solids lack a regular 3D atomic arrangement, resulting in no specific shape. Examples include candle wax and quartz glass. Quartz glass, made of silicon dioxide, shows short-range order. Amorphous solids have low melting and boiling points due to less atomic interaction. They soften with temperature, as seen in candle wax. Amorphous solids exhibit isotropy, meaning their physical properties remain constant in all directions, demonstrated by the refractive index of quartz glass.

What characteristic feature distinguishes amorphous solids from other types of solids?

• Lack of a regular and repeating 3D arrangement of atoms

• Regular and repeating 3D arrangement of atoms

• Crystalline structure

• High melting and boiling points

Which of the following is an example of an amorphous solid?

• Salt

• Diamond

• Ice

• Quartz glass

Why do amorphous solids have lower melting points compared to crystalline solids?

• They have stronger atomic interactions

• They lack orderly atomic packing

• They have a regular atomic arrangement

• They are denser

What happens to amorphous solids as the temperature increases?

• They evaporate

• They become more rigid

• They crystallize

• They soften

What does it mean for amorphous solids to be isotropic?

• Their physical properties vary with direction

• Their physical properties are the same in all directions

• They have a crystalline structure

• They have high melting points