Glasses

In soft matter physics, glasses refer to disordered materials that have a solid structure but lack the regular arrangement of atoms found in crystals. They form when liquids cool and become "frozen" in a disordered state without crystallizing. This results in properties like rigidity and brittleness, similar to solids, but with unusual behaviors like slow movement of particles over time. Examples include glass made from silica, polymers, and even some biological materials. Glasses showcase fascinating characteristics that bridge the gap between liquids and solids, making them important for both understanding and application in various fields.