Solid State
The solid-state chemistry is one of the booming areas of science, especially because of exciting new developments in superconducting and semiconducting solids and other new materials like biodegradable polymers for packaging, bio compliant solids with widely different properties.
General Characteristics of Solid State
According to Kinetic theory, the physical state in which a substance exists is determined by the resultant of the disordering effect of thermal energy and ordering effect of the cohesive forces of attraction as follows:
- If the thermal energy is much greater than the forces of attraction, then we have matter in the gaseous state.
- If the forces of attraction are greater than the thermal energy, matter exists in liquid state.
- If the forces of attraction between molecules are much greater than the thermal energy, the matter exists in the solid state.
The cohesive forces which operate between ions in an ionic compound are strong electrostatic forces. Therefore, ionic compounds are generally solids.
The forces which operate between molecules in a covalent compound are weak intermolecular or Van der Waals’ forces.
The attractive forces operating in case of atoms or molecules of non-metallic elements are also Van der Waals’ forces. Then, such substances exist as gases, liquid, or low melting solids.
The following are the characteristic properties of the solid state:
- Intermolecular distances– They have short intermolecular distances.
- Intermolecular forces- Intermolecular forces in solids are very strong.
- Molecular Motion– Their constituent particles (atoms, ions, or molecules) have fixed positions and can only oscillate about their mean positions.
- Define Shape and Volume- Constituents units (atoms, ions, or molecules) in a solid are held together by strong attractive forces. Thus, constituent units in a solid occupy fixed positions due to lack of translatory motion and strong attractive forces, solids have fixed volume and shape.
- Rigidity– Solids are hard and rigid. This is because of the strong attractive forces between the constituent units due to which they have fixed positions.
- High Density- Solids have a higher density as compared to gases and liquids. This is because the constituent units in solids are closely packed leading to a decrease in volume. Hence, mass per unit volume or density is high.
- Compressibility– Solids are nearly incompressible. Due to the close packing of constituent units, free space between them gets eliminated to a large extent and hence they can’t be compressed.
- Diffusion– Diffusion of solids is almost negligible. This is because the constituent units in a solid have fixed positions from which they can’t move appreciably.
The temperature at which a solid melt under one atmospheric pressure is called the Melting point of the solid.
Crystalline and Amorphous solids
Crystalline Solids
A crystalline solid is a substance whose constituent units are arranged in an orderly fashion which repeats itself over very long distances as compared to interatomic distances, i.e., they have a long-range order.
Some common examples of crystalline solids are sodium chloride, quartz, diamond, copper, potassium nitrate, urea, naphthalene and benzoic acid.
Amorphous Solids
An amorphous solid is a substance whose constituent units do not possess an orderly arrangement over a long range. The orderly arrangement in them is restricted to very short distances which are the same order of magnitude as the interatomic distances, i.e., they have a short-range order.
Some common examples of amorphous solids are glass, plastics such as PVC, Teflon, cellophane, polyurethane, quartz glass, etc.
Sometimes a part of amorphous solids is crystalline and the rest is non-crystalline.
Difference between Quartz and Quartz Glass

Difference between Crystalline and Amorphous Solids

Molecular Solids
The constituent units of molecular solids are small molecules, except in solidified noble gases where the units are atoms.
These are of Two types-
- Non-polar Molecular Solids
- Polar Molecular solids
- Hydrogen Bonded Molecular Solids
Ionic Solids
The constituent units in ionic solids are oppositively charged ions. The constituents in an ionic solid are held together by strong electrostatic force of attraction. Examples of ionic solids are NaCl, CsCl, and BaCl2.
Metallic Solids
The constituent units of metallic solids are positive ions. The positively charged metal ions are held together by the free-moving electron charge which arises due to the grouping of all the valence electrons. The electron charge cloud belongs to the entire crystal.
You May Also Like-
What do you know about Solid Waste??
Processing of solid waste and On-site Handling by engineering System
What do you know about Hazardous Waste??
Landfill Disposal of Solid Waste
Shrinkage In Concrete: Types and Methods to Reduce
Chemical Shrinkage
Autogenous Shrinkage
Plastic Shrinkage
Drying Shrinkage
Carbonation Shrinkage
Continue Reading Shrinkage In Concrete: Types and Methods to Reduce
Soil: Definition and Names of Various Types of Soil
The term ‘soil’ in soil engineering is defined as an unconsolidated material, composed of solid particles, produced by the disintegration of rocks. The void space between the particles may contain air, water or both. The soil particles may contain organic matter.
Continue Reading Soil: Definition and Names of Various Types of Soil
Bricks: Uses, Size, Weight, Frog, Types, and Much More
What are Bricks? Bricks are one of the oldest building materials and it’s extensively used at present as a loading material in construction methods because of its durability, strength, reliability, low cost, easy availability, etc. Bricks are manufactured by molding burnt clay or a mixture of sand and lime or of Portland cement concrete, in…
Continue Reading Bricks: Uses, Size, Weight, Frog, Types, and Much More
Water Proofing Materials, Damp-Proofing Course, and much more
Water Proofing Materials Dampness in a building is the main cause of the deterioration of the building as well as for the ill-health of the occupants. The damp brickwork in the buildings is prone to fresh attack. Also, the soluble salts in bricks are liable to attack the cement mortar when the brickwork remains wet…
Continue Reading Water Proofing Materials, Damp-Proofing Course, and much more
Sound Insulation And Sound Insulating Materials
Sound Insulation A well-designed building should incorporate sound insulation to restrain the noise level. High noise conditions result in uncomfortable living conditions, mental strains, fatigue, and may even lead to a nervous breakdown or temporary deafness. Adequate insulation can be achieved by using sound-absorbing or sound repellent materials. Sound Insulating Materials Sound Insulating Materials fall…
Continue Reading Sound Insulation And Sound Insulating Materials
Heat Insulating Materials: Convection, Radiation, and Conduction
Heat Insulating Materials The purpose of thermal insulation is to restrict the heat transfer from warmer to cooler areas. Transfer of heat takes place by three processes- the convection, the radiation and, the conduction. Convection In convection, heat is transferred from one place to another by the movement and mixing of liquids or gases. Radiation…
Continue Reading Heat Insulating Materials: Convection, Radiation, and Conduction
Leave a Reply