Lattice Distortion

Lattice distortion occurs when the regular, repeating arrangement of atoms in a solid material is disrupted or altered. This can happen due to the introduction of different atoms (like impurities), mechanical stress, or temperature changes. Such distortions affect the material's properties, including strength, electrical conductivity, and how it reacts to external forces. Imagine a tightly packed network of atoms like a well-organized grid; when a few atoms are different or pressed, the grid warps or shifts, creating lattice distortion that influences how the material behaves at the microscopic level.