Covalent network solids

Covalent network solids are a type of crystalline substance where atoms are connected in a continuous, three-dimensional network by strong covalent bonds. This extensive bonding results in materials that are extremely hard, have high melting points, and are often poor conductors of electricity. Examples include diamond and quartz. Their structure grants them remarkable strength and stability because breaking them apart requires disrupting a vast interconnected network of bonds. These solids do not consist of individual molecules but form an infinite, repeating atomic arrangement, making them distinct from other types of materials like metals or molecular compounds.