Solids and their
Properties
Most Essential Learning Competency
Describe the difference in structure of crystalline and
amorphous solids. (STEM_GC11IMF-IIIa-c-104)
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the learners will be able to:
1. compare the properties of crystalline and
amorphous solids;
2. relate the properties of different types of solids
to the bonding or interactions among particles in
these solids; and
3. predict the strongest force responsible for the
formation of a given solid.
Two General Types of Solids
Arrangement of particles:
1. Crystalline solids - are arranged in fixed
geometric patterns or lattices. Atoms,
molecules or ions occupy specific
(predictable) positions.
Examples of crystalline solids are ice and sodium
chloride (NaCl), copper sulfate (CuSO₄), diamond,
graphite, and sugar (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁).
The ordered arrangement of their units
maximizes the space they occupy and are
essentially incompressible.
Crystalline Solid
2. Amorphous solids have a random
orientation of particles. Do not have long
range order, but may have a limited,
localized order in their structures.
Examples of amorphous solids are glass,
plastic, coal, and rubber.
They are considered super-cooled liquids
where molecules are arranged in a random
manner similar to the liquid state.
Amorphous Solid
Behavior when heated:
1. Crystalline solids - The structures of crystalline
solids are built from repeating units called crystal
lattices.
The surroundings of particles in the structure are
uniform, and the attractive forces experienced by
the particles are of similar types and strength.
These attractive forces are broken by the same
amount of energy, and thus, crystals become
liquids at a specific temperature (i.e. the melting
point).
At this temperature, physical properties of the
crystalline solids change sharply.
Crystalline Solid
PYRITE (FOOL’S GOLD) FLUORITE
2. Amorphous solids soften gradually when
they are heated.
They tend to melt over a wide range of
temperature.
This behavior is a result of the variation in
the arrangement of particles in their
structures, causing some parts of the solid to
melt ahead of other parts.
Amorphous Solid
The Crystal Lattice
Crystalline solids are characterized by a
regular repeating structure called the crystal
lattice.
X-ray Diffraction is a technique used to
determine the atomic and molecular
structure of a crystal, wherein atoms cause a
beams of incident X-rays to diffract into many
specific directions.
Evaluation/Enrichment
Read about a crystal of Salts in food industry,
e.g. table salt, monosodium glutamate,
potassium nitrate.
1. How is the crystal formed?
2. Is it beneficial or harmful to man or both?
Discuss how it is beneficial or harmful to
man.
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION-BUREAU OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
