Amorphous Materials

AMORPHOUS MATERIALS

Amorphous means without form.

The materials in which atoms are arranged in an irregular (random) fashion are known as non-crystalline or amorphous materials.

Example - Glass, rubber and plastics.

The arrangement of atoms in non- crystalline materials in two dimensions is shown in fig. 1.2.

Difference between Crystalline and Non-Crystalline materials.

Crystallographic terms

Let us understand some of the important crystallographic terms.

Crystal

A crystal is a three-dimensional solid which consists of a periodic arrangement of atoms.

Crystal Structure

The arrangement of atoms in a crystal is known as crystal structure. It is the basis for understanding the properties of materials.

Crystallography or Crystal physics

The branch of physics which deals with the internal structure, properties, external or internal symmetries in a crystal is known as crystallography or crystal physics.