Solids can be squeezed or molded by using force. Although solid particles cannot move closer together, when pushed hard, they slide past each other. This process is called deforming. However, when a solid can’t bend or mold, it may break when enough force is applied to it. The following are the four types of solids. Learn more about them. And remember to use a solids calculator to test its properties.
Platonic
A Platonic solid is a regular, convex polyhedron in three-dimensional Euclidean space. Regular means that its faces are congruent regular polygons, and that the same number of faces meet at every vertex. Its symmetry and recurrence properties make it particularly useful in geometry. Read on to learn more about Platonic solids. Here’s a brief description of this fascinating mathematical shape.
Molecular
A molecular solid is a material that is made up of discrete molecules bound together by van der Waals forces. The molecules may also be bound together by dipole-dipole or quadrupole interactions. As a result, a molecular solid is made up of very few molecules and a lot of energy. Here are a few properties of molecular solids:
Ionic
Ionic solids are composed of oppositely charged ions held together by electrostatic forces in a three-dimensional network. The arrangement of ions maximizes electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged atoms and minimizes repulsion between like charges. There are many examples of ionic solids. Let us look at rock salt and a simple one, NaCl. These solids are very similar to rocks. In order to study how an ionic solid forms, you must first understand the fundamental properties of ionic compounds.
Network
There are two types of solids: molecular solids and covalent network materials. Both types are held together by Van Der Waals forces. Molluscan solids are soft and brittle, while network materials are rigid and stable. Here are some common solids and their properties. Read on to find out more! And if you’re not sure, check out our solid network materials guide to learn more. It will help you make an informed decision on which material to use for your project!
Plasma
Gases and liquids have different physical properties. A gas can easily be compressed and cooled. A liquid, on the other hand, can be compressed and cooled to a certain degree. Both liquids and gasses have different amounts of energy, such as kinetic and potential energy. While kinetic energy is associated with moving bodies, potential energy is stored in a solid. This energy can be released and changed into a different form.
Liquid
The basic difference between a solid and a liquid is that a solid has more atoms packed into a single space. Atoms in solids are also less mobile than those in liquids. Therefore, the rate of diffusion of solids is low. Liquids, on the other hand, are less tightly packed and tend to take on the shape of the container in which they are placed. This makes it difficult to compress a liquid. Its atoms do not have a fixed shape. Hence, the rate of diffusion in liquids is higher than that in solids, because its molecules are loosely bound together.