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Chapter 3: Problem 66

Would you expect a material in which the atomic bonding is predominantly ionic in nature to be more or less likely to form a noncrystalline solid upon solidification than a covalent material? Why? (See Section \(2.6 .)\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Materials with predominantly ionic bonding are less likely to form noncrystalline structures upon solidification compared to covalently bonded materials. This is because ionic materials have strong electrostatic forces that favor orderly lattice formation, whereas covalent materials have more complex and varied bonding that can result in less ordered arrangements.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the types of atomic bonds

Ionic bonds are formed between atoms with a large difference in electronegativity. In such bonds, one atom donates an electron to the other, creating a positive ion and a negative ion that are then attracted to each other. Covalent bonds, on the other hand, involve the sharing of electrons between two atoms with similar electronegativity values. These shared electrons form a bond between the two atoms, holding them together.
02

Consider the nature of crystalline and noncrystalline structures

Crystalline structures are characterized by a regular and repeating arrangement of atoms in a long-range order. This arrangement results in the formation of an ordered lattice structure. Noncrystalline structures, also known as amorphous structures, do not exhibit long-range order, and the arrangement of atoms is more random.
03

Analyze ionic bonding and structural formation

Ionic materials typically have a high degree of long-range ordering due to the strong electrostatic forces between the positive and negative ions, which arrange themselves into a lattice structure. These forces, also known as Coulombic forces, hold the ions together in a rigid and symmetric arrangement, leading to the formation of a crystalline structure upon solidification.
04

Analyze covalent bonding and structural formation

Covalent materials exhibit a more directional bonding nature with varying bond strengths and bond angles. This variation can lead to a less predictable arrangement of atoms, which can result in the formation of noncrystalline structures upon solidification. However, some covalently bonded materials can still form crystalline structures when the conditions are favorable and atoms can arrange themselves in an orderly manner.
05

Compare the likelihood of noncrystalline formation in ionic and covalent materials

Considering the characteristics of ionic and covalent bonds, we can conclude that materials with predominant ionic bonding are more likely to form crystalline structures upon solidification due to the strong electrostatic forces between the ions, ensuring a regular and ordered arrangement of ions. Covalently bonded materials, however, are more likely to form noncrystalline structures because of the more complex and varied bonding nature, which can lead to a less ordered arrangement of atoms.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Convert the (111) and (012) planes into the four-index Miller-Bravais scheme for hexagonal unit cells.

Cobalt has an HCP crystal structure, an atomic radius of \(0.1253 \mathrm{nm},\) and a \(c / a\) ratio of 1.623 Compute the volume of the unit cell for Co.

Titanium has an HCP crystal structure and a density of \(4.51 \mathrm{g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}\) (a) What is the volume of its unit cell in cubic meters? (b) If the \(c / a\) ratio is 1.58 , compute the values of \(c\) and \(a.\)

(a) Derive linear density expressions for FCC [100] and [111] directions in terms of the atomic radius \(R\) (b) Compute and compare linear density val use for these same two planes for copper.

(a) Draw an orthorhombic unit cell, and within that cell a \((02 \overline{1})\) plane. (b) Draw a monoclinic unit cell, and within that cell a (200) plane.
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