|
Property |
Crystalline solids |
Amorphous solids |
| 1. |
Shape |
They have definite characteristic geometrical shape due to the orderly regular long range arrangement of constituent particles. |
They have irregular shape and lack characteristic geometrical shape due to the short range orderly arrangement of constituent particles. |
| 2. |
Melting point |
They have sharp and characteristic melting point. |
They do not have sharp melting point. They gradually soften over a range of temperature. |
| 3. |
Cleavage propert |
When cut with a sharp edged tool, they split into two pieces and the newly generated surfaces are plain and smooth. |
When cut with a sharp edged tool, they cut into two pieces with irregular surfaces. |
| 4. |
Heat of fusion |
They have a definite and characteristic heat of fusion. |
They do not have definite heat of fusion. |
| 5. |
Anisotropy |
They are anisotropic, i.e., have different physical properties in different direction |
They are isotropic, i.e., have same physical properties in all directions. |
| 6. |
Nature |
They are true solids |
They are pseudo solids or super cooled liquids. |
| 7. |
Order in arrangement of constituent particles |
They have long range order. |
They have only short range order |
| eg. |
|
Copper, silver, iron, zinc sulphide, common salt, potassium nitrate, etc |
Glass, rubber, plastics, etc |
