Phase Diagrams and Classification of Solids

Vocabulary flashcards covering phase diagrams, phase transitions, and the classification of solids from the lecture.

Phase Diagram

A diagram showing which phase of a substance is the most stable at specific combinations of temperature and pressure.

Fusion

Another scientific term used to refer to melting, which is the phase transition from a solid to a liquid.

Water's Freezing-Melting Curve

An unusual phase boundary that bends to the left as pressure increases, indicating that ice can melt when subjected to pressure.

Amorphous Solid

A solid whose particles freeze into a random, non-repeating arrangement; notable examples include wax, asphalt, and glass.

Crystalline Solid

A solid composed of atoms, ions, or molecules arranged in an organized, repeating three-dimensional structure called a crystal.

Molecular Solid

A class of solid characterized by being held together by dispersion forces rather than ionic or metallic bonds, typically making it soft rather than hard (such as iodine).

Ionic Solid

A hard solid with a high melting point that does not conduct electricity in the solid phase but acts as a good conductor when molten (such as sodium chloride).

Metallic Solid

A hard solid with a high melting point that conducts electricity in its solid state (such as chromium) and typically consists of a crystalline arrangement of metal atoms.