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10. Crystal Structure

The document discusses the distinction between crystalline and amorphous solids, highlighting that crystalline solids have a regular arrangement of atoms, resulting in definite geometric shapes and melting points, while amorphous solids lack such order. It describes various types of crystalline structures, including simple cubic, body-centered cubic, and face-centered cubic, and provides examples of each. Additionally, it contrasts the properties of crystalline and amorphous substances, noting that amorphous solids resemble liquids more than solids.

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Godwin Nkwo
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2 views

10. Crystal Structure

The document discusses the distinction between crystalline and amorphous solids, highlighting that crystalline solids have a regular arrangement of atoms, resulting in definite geometric shapes and melting points, while amorphous solids lack such order. It describes various types of crystalline structures, including simple cubic, body-centered cubic, and face-centered cubic, and provides examples of each. Additionally, it contrasts the properties of crystalline and amorphous substances, noting that amorphous solids resemble liquids more than solids.

Uploaded by

Godwin Nkwo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WEEK THREE

Topic : Crystal Structure

Sub- Topic: Arrangement of atoms in crystal structure

Lesson Topic: Distinction between crystalline and amorphous substances.

Arrangement of atoms in crystal structure

Types of Solids

Solids are usually divided into two classes. They are the crystalline and non-crystalline/amorphous
solids. The distinguishing feature between the two is the arrangement of the atoms or molecules in
the solid.

Crystalline Solids

Most solid have regular shape which are at times evident from their external appearances. In some,
this regularity of form is not so evident and only with the aid of a microscope can their crystalline
nature be revealed.Crystalline: is a solid which have definite geometric shapes. If table salt for
example is examined with a hand lens, it will be observed that a basic cubic shape is repeated. Table
salt is thus a castle in solid.

Crystals: A Crystal is a pieces of solid matter in which the atoms, molecules or ions are arranged in a
regularly (or highly regular) repeating pattern or lattice.The regularity of form observed in crystals is
as a result of the atoms ions or molecules of the crystals being closely packed together. Examples of
crystals are ice, diamond, graphite, common salt, copper (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI), aluminium and
metals, calcite etc.Crystals are the small particles which make up a crystalline substance. Most
substances do not exist as single crystals. Whenever a solution of a salt such as sodium chloride (Nacl)
is evaporated the crystals that form have flat surfaces whose edges intersect at right angles. Cubes of
the salt are usually formed. As the crystals form, they gradually grow touching and becoming joined to
each other. The regularity of these surface features reflect a high degree of other among the particles
that lie within the crystals.The shapes of crystals vary from substances to substances, but crystals of a
particular substance have the same shape irrespective of their size.

Crystals Lattice

Crystals Lattice: is the arrangement of particles (atoms, ions or molecules) in a crystals. Crystals Lattice
is a regular arrangement of particles (atoms ions or molecules) in three-dimensional framework or
pattern which repeat over and over again in all directions. This high degree of regularity in the
arrangements of the molecules is the principal feature distinguishing solids from liquids. Particles in a
liquid are jumbled and disorganised as they move about. They are even more jumbled in a gas.
Crystals Lattices have regular structure with each structure being made up of a number of repeating
parts known as unit cell. This is just like a wall in which the basic unit is a block, other blocks are
added to make up the wall.

Structure of Simple Crystals

It is convenient to consider a simple crystal as being composed of a huge numbers of simple basic
units or building blocks called unit cels.. Unit cell is the building block of crystals.As we stack/pack this
unit cells up and down, side by side, in all directions we can build the entire lattice. The crystal
structures we are going to discuss are the:

(i) simple cubic structure

(ii) body centred cubic structure

(iii) face centered cubic structure. Sodium chloride (Nacl) crystal for example has this type of

structure. In it, the atoms of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) take alternating positions in the cube in
each of the three directions. Each atom within the solid has 6 immediate neighbours. Other solid with
this type of structure include: calcium chloride, magnesium oxide, potassium bromide etc.

The Simple Cubic Structure : In this structure, the atoms or molecules are located at the
corners of an imaginary cube stacked/packed side by side up and down like building blocks.

The Face Centered Cubic Structure: In the face centred cubic crystal, the unit cell has identical
particles at each of the corners plus another in the centre of each face. Examples are common
salt, copper, silver, aluminium, lead etc.

The Centered Cubic Structure : In the body centred cubic cubic crystal the unit cell has
identical particles at each corner plus one in the centre of the cell. The alkali metals lithium,
sodium, potassium and some transition metals like iron chromium have body centred cubic
structure. These crystal patterns are not actually seen by the human eye but are revealed by
x-ray diffraction.

Non-crystalline/Amorphous Substances

Non-crystalline/amorphous substances lack the regular arrangement of atoms characteristics of


crystals. The word amorphous means without shape or form. In many ways, amorphous substance are
more like liquids than solids. Amorphous substances do not from crystals.

Distinction between amorphous and crystalline solids

Crystalline Amorphous/Non-crystalline

Crystalline substances have definite shape. Amorphous substances have no definite shapes.

Crystalline solid have definite melting points. Amorphous solids have no definite melting
points.

Crystalline solid are usually soluble. Amorphous solid are usually insoluble.

Examples are copper, aluminium, zinc, lead etc Examples are glass, plastic, rubber, charcoal etc.

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