Crystalline

Crystalline solid

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Crystalline solids are solids whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in an orderly, geometric, three-dimensional structure; can be classified by shape or composition or class of solids that have regular or nearly-regular crystalline structures. This means that the atoms in these solids are arranged in an orderly manner. Solids are divided into two types:

crystalline solids
amorphous solids

These two are differentiated on the basis of their physical properties. Crystalline solids are of a definite shape and have a definite melting point, while amorphous solids have no definite shape and melt at a range of temperatures. Crystalline solids are also known for their anisotropic nature, whereas amorphous solids are isotropic.

Crystal	Particles	Attractive Forces	Melting point	Other properties
Ionic	Positive and negative ions	Electrostatic attractions	High	Hard, brittle, good electrical conductor in molten state
Molecular	Polar molecules	London force and dipole-dipole attraction	Low	Soft, non-conductor or extremely poor conductor of electricity in liquid state
Molecular	Non-polar molecules	London force	Low	Soft, non-conductor or extremely poor conductor of electricity in liquid state
Network	Atoms	Covalent bonds	Very high	Very hard, non-conductor of electricity
Metallic	Positive ions and mobile electrons	Metallic bonds	Fairly high	Hard or soft, malleable and ductile, good electrical conductor

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