1.2.3 Isomorphism and polymorphism
Similarity or dissimilarity in crystal
structure of different solids is described as
isomorphism and polymorphism.
i. Isomorphism : Two or more substances
having the same crystal structure are said to be
isomorphous. In these substances the chemical
composition has the same atomic ratio. For
example (i) NaF and MgO (ii) NaNO 3 and
CaCO 3 are isomorphous pairs, and have the
same atomic ratios, 1:1 and 1:1:3, respectively,
of the constituent atoms.
ii. Polymorphism : A single substance that
exists in two or more forms or crystalline
structures is said to be polymorphous.
Polymorphs of a substance are formed under
different conditions. For example : Calcite and
aragonite are two forms of calcium carbonate;
α-quartz, b-quartz and cristobalite are three
of the several forms of silica. Polymorphism
occuring in elements is called allotropy. For
example: three polymorphic (allotropic) forms
of carbon are diamond, graphite and fullerene.1.2.2 Amorphous solids : The particles of
a liquid are in constant motion. The stop
action photograph of a liquid describes the
amorphous state. In fact, they are supercooled
liquids. Amorphous solids have the following
characteristics.
i. The constituent particles in amorphous
solids are randomly arranged. The
particles do not have long range ordered
structure, but they do have a short range
order.
ii. Amorphous solids do not have sharp
melting points. They melt gradually
over a temperature interval. On
heating, amorphous solids gradually and
continuously soften and start to flow.
iii. These solids are isotropic. In other
words, their properties such as refractive
index, conductivity are all independent of
direction of measurement. They exhibit the
same magnitude for any property in every
direction.
Use your brain power
Identify the arrangements A and B
as crystalline or amorphous.Glass, plastic, rubber, tar, and metallic glass
(metal-metalloid alloy) are a few examples of
amorphous solids.Do you know?- A single crystal has ordered
(regular and periodic)
arrangement of constituent particles
throughout its bulk. - Majority of crystalline solids, including
metals, are polycrystalline in nature.
Single grannule of a polycrystalline
solid is made of many single crystals or
crystallites packed together with different
orientations. - Single crystals are difficult to obtain.
Diamond is an example of naturally
formed single crystal.