Crystalline solids have atoms, ions or molecules arranged in a repeating pattern called a lattice, giving them physical characteristics that vary. They are resistant to compression and have enormous strength. There are seven basic shapes, with 14 possible lattices affecting physical properties such as melting point and light refraction. Diamond is the hardest substance due to its lattice structure.
A crystalline solid is a type of matter whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a regular, three-dimensional repeating pattern called a lattice. Having its component units arranged in such a way gives a crystalline solid certain physical characteristics that can vary depending on the model. All crystals fall into one of seven possible basic shapes. Some of these shapes have more than one possible lattice, of which there are 14 in total.
The units of a crystalline solid lattice, whether atoms, ions or molecules, are bonded to each other, giving the solid a strong structure. This regular structure makes the crystals particularly resistant to compression. They can be broken or crushed with sufficient force, of course, but they are very difficult to compress. Some types of bonds are stronger than others, but all crystals exhibit this property to some degree. The lattice of a crystal is made up of units called cells, the smallest repeating units of the lattice.
The regular lattice structure gives some types of crystals enormous strength. Known as nature’s hardest substance, diamond owes its hardness to the way the carbon atoms that make up its structure fit together in its crystal lattice. Other common crystalline solids are sugar, rock salt and some grains of sand such as those of quartz. Crystalline solids are found in nature in the form of many types of precious gems and minerals, and even some organic materials.
Crystals fall into seven basic shapes. These shapes are rarely found in nature in perfect geometric form, but crystals of a particular substance will always form in its characteristic shape or composed of more than one. Three of the basic shapes of crystals are regular rectangular, cubic, or right-angled solids. A fourth shape is a hexagonal solid, and the other three are all rectangular solids with some edges meeting at angles other than ninety degrees. Some substances can form composite crystalline forms, but all are combinations of the seven basic crystalline forms.
Within the basic crystalline forms, 14 different lattices are possible. Lattices refer to the particular way atoms, ions or molecules are arranged in the crystal, the type of lattice affects the shape of the crystal. These gratings also help determine the physical properties of the crystal, such as how the crystal breaks when struck, how it refracts or bends, the light that passes through it, and its melting point.
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