Amorphous solids
Amorphous solids are materials that lack a long-range order in their atomic structure, meaning their atoms are arranged randomly rather than in a repeating pattern like in crystals. Common examples include glass, gels, and some plastics. This irregular arrangement gives amorphous solids unique properties, such as flexibility and transparency, which are different from their crystalline counterparts. Unlike crystals, which have distinct melting points, amorphous solids gradually soften when heated, making them useful in various applications, including packaging, electronics, and optical devices.
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Amorphous solids are materials that lack a well-ordered, repeating structure, unlike crystalline solids, which have a fixed arrangement of atoms. This means that in amorphous solids, the particles are arranged randomly, giving them distinct properties. Common examples include glass and many types of plastics. Because of their irregular structure, amorphous solids can be more flexible and less brittle than their crystalline counterparts, and they can also exhibit different optical and thermal properties. Their lack of long-range order makes them useful in various applications, from everyday products to advanced technologies.