Question

Which of the following must crystalline solids have? A) carbonates B) cubic structures C) orderly arrangement of atoms D) cleavage

Short answer

C: Orderly arrangement of atoms.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Question

We need to determine which characteristic is essential for crystalline solids from the given options A, B, C, and D. Crystalline solids are known for having distinctive features due to their atomic structure.

Reviewing Option A: Carbonates

This option suggests that crystalline solids must have carbonates. While carbonates can form crystalline solids (e.g., calcite), crystalline solids encompass many materials, not just carbonates. Therefore, carbonates are not a necessity for all crystalline solids.

Reviewing Option B: Cubic Structures

This option suggests that all crystalline solids must have cubic structures. Although some crystalline solids can have cubic structures (e.g., sodium chloride), they can also exist in other shapes such as tetragonal, monoclinic, or orthorhombic. Thus, cubic structure is not essential for all crystalline solids.

Reviewing Option C: Orderly Arrangement of Atoms

This option suggests that crystalline solids must have an orderly arrangement of atoms. This is a key characteristic of crystalline solids, where atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern, unlike amorphous solids where atoms are arranged randomly.

Reviewing Option D: Cleavage

This option suggests that crystalline solids must have cleavage. Cleavage refers to the way some minerals break along certain lines of weakness, which is a feature of some crystalline solids, but it is not a universal requirement for all crystalline solids.

Conclusion

After reviewing each option, the correct answer is option C: Orderly arrangement of atoms. This is a defining feature of crystalline solids, which differentiates them from amorphous solids.

Key concepts

Atomic Structure

To understand crystalline solids, we first need to grasp the concept of atomic structure. Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of all matter. Each atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in defined orbitals. The arrangement and interaction of these atoms and electrons determine the chemical properties of a material.

Crystalline solids are unique due to their distinctive atomic arrangement. Unlike amorphous substances, where atoms are randomly organized, crystalline solids feature a structured, repeating pattern of atoms. Such pattern leads to specific, observable properties like a well-defined geometric shape and unique symmetry.

The atomic structure of a crystal is described by a unit cell, the smallest repeating unit of the structure. The unit cell is defined by its crystal lattice, where points in a three-dimensional grid mirror the pattern of atom arrangement. By studying atomic structures, scientists can predict a crystal's properties, including but not limited to its physical and chemical behavior.

Orderly Arrangement of Atoms

The orderly arrangement of atoms is a critical concept central to understanding crystalline solids. In crystalline materials, the atoms are organized in a long-range, repeating pattern that extends in three dimensions. This regular arrangement is what gives crystals their distinct properties and classifies them as crystalline.

Such organization distinguishes crystalline solids from amorphous solids. In amorphous solid materials, atoms are packed without long-range order, which results in different physical characteristics. Amorphous solids do not have clearly defined planes or axes, unlike crystalline solids which exhibit such features.

• Consistent atomic pattern
• Extended repeat across the dimensions
• Defined geometric shapes

These traits contribute to properties like high melting points, distinct cleavage planes, and anisotropic behavior, where physical properties vary depending on direction within the crystal.

Material Science

Material science is the field that studies the properties, performance, and processing of materials. Conscious of both the atomic and crystalline structures, material science investigates how these structures influence material properties. It's an interdisciplinary science that combines principles from physics, chemistry, and engineering to explore the relationship between atomic arrangement and material behavior.

Material scientists focus on understanding how the orderly arrangement of atoms within crystalline solids contributes to various physical attributes such as hardness, brittleness, elasticity, and optical properties. They employ theoretical models alongside experimental methods to enhance, create, and utilize materials for specific applications.

• Developing new alloys and composites
• Improving material durability and efficiency
• Innovating materials for technology and industry

In essence, material science drives advancements in various technologies by optimizing materials' performance tailored for specific applications, relying on the fundamental principles observed in atomic structuring and crystallinity of solids.