Types of Crystalline Solids

What are the only atomic solids?

Noble gases.

What types of forces hold molecular solids together?

Dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces, or hydrogen bonds.

What connects atoms in covalent network solids?

Covalent bonds.

What is an allotrope?

An element that exists in different forms at the same state—solid, liquid, or gas.

Which elements are commonly found in covalent network solids?

Carbon and silicon.

How are ionic solids structured?

Each ion is surrounded by ions of opposite charge, with the type and ratio of ions determining the lattice structure and crystal shape.

What characterizes metallic solids?

Positive metal ions are surrounded by a sea of mobile electrons.

Properties of atomic solids

Properties reflect weak dispersion forces between atoms