 |
| Amorphous Solids |
|
| Substances whose particles do not posses a regular orderly arrangement but have short range order. When amorphous solids are heated they become crystalline at some temperature. Properties of amorphous solids are: |
| |
 They do not have sharp melting point. |
| |
|
Under go liquefaction over a broad range of temperature. |
| |
|
Do not posses characteristics heats of fusion. |
| |
|
When heated and cooled slowly they become crystalline. |
| |
| Example: Glass and plastics. |
| |
| Uses |
| |
| 1. Most widely used amorphous solids are inorganic glasses, used as |
| |
|
construction material |
| |
|
houseware |
| |
|
laboratoryware etc. |
| |
| 2. Another important material is rubber used in making tyres. |
| |
| Amorphous silica has been found to be the best material for converting sunlight into electricity (in photovoltaic cells). |
| |
| Difference between amorphous and crystalline solids |
| |
 |
| |
