Types of Solids

Intermolecular Forces in Solids

The molecules in solids are held very tightly together, restricting their movement. This means that the intermolecular forces are significant. We can classify solids based on the type of intermolecular forces holding them together.

Types of Solids

1. 2.

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We will classify solids into four types: Molecular Solids Metallic Solids Ionic Solids Covalent network solids

Molecular solids

Consider the element Iodine, I2 Iodine is a solid at room temperature and pressure What intermolecular forces maintain this solid state? Only London forces! However, it has 53 electrons, giving it sufficient intermolecular force to be a solid at room temperature.

Molecular solids

A molecular solid is a solid that consists of atoms or molecules held together by intermolecular forces Examples include:

Solid neon (melting point of -248oC) Solid CO2 (dry ice) Solid H2O (ice) Iodine Sugar

Metallic solids

Metals usually have very high melting points, although this can be highly variable.

For example, mercury melts at -39oC while tungsten melts at 3410oC

Therefore, the intermolecular forces in metals must be rather strong. These forces are not completely understood.

Metallic solids

In metals, the valence electrons of neighbouring atoms form a sort of electron soup These electrons are called delocalized electrons This delocalized electron soup can be thought of as a glue that holds the positive nuclei of the metal atoms together.

Metal solids can be thought of as being like a rice krispy square

The marshmallow is like the delocalized electron soup that acts a glue that holds it together

The rice krispies are like the positive nuclei of the metal atoms that compose the solid.

Metallic solids

The positive nuclei of metals form lattice structures within the electron soup. This means that metals are composed of crystals, but they are usually too small to see. However, formation of metals through electroplating can make the crystalline nature more obvious.

Gallium

Ionic Solids

Consider sodium chloride (table salt) An ionic solid is a solid that consists of cations and anions held together by the electrical attraction of opposite charges (ionic bonds) This is technically considered an intramolecular force.

Ionic Bonding

Ionic compounds have the following physical properties:

Very high melting points Brittle Non-conductive in a solid state Conductive in a liquid state

Ionic Bonding

The forces involved in ionic compounds are derived from the creation of a crystal lattice composed of alternating negative and positive ions. Because of the full charge on ions, ionic bonds are stronger than dipole-dipole interactions

Different Types of Crystal Lattices

Arrangement of Ions in a Sodium chloride cystal (cubic)

Covalent Network Solid

Consider carbon dioxide (CO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2). What would you expect the physical properties of SiO2 to be? CO2 b.p. = -78.5oC If London forces are the only intermolecular force, then you might predict the b.p. of SiO2 to be slightly more than CO2.

Covalent Network Solid

However SiO2 has a m.p. of 1650oC, and b.p. of 2230oC! SiO2 is also known as quartz, or sand, is used in the production of glass. Clearly, SiO2 is not a molecular solid like CO2 is. SiO2 is a covalent network solid.

Raw silica (SiO2)

Silica glass (SiO2)

Amethyst quartz (SiO2)

Covalent Network Solid

A covalent network solid is a solid that consists of atoms held together in large networks or chains by covalent bonds. Every atom is covalently bonded forming a 3-dimensional network Examples include: diamond, graphite, silicon, asbestos

Graphite

Graphite is an allotrope of carbon It is a covalent network solid It consists of sheets of covalently bonded carbons These sheets can slide over one another easily, making graphite useful for writing (i.e. it is the lead in pencils!) It also is also an electrical conductor.

Diamond

Diamond is another allotrope of carbon. Like graphite, it is a covalent network solid. However, instead of sheets, it forms a 3-dimensional lattice of carbon atoms. This is what gives diamond its characteristic hardness.