Which type of solid does not have a definite shape or melting point?

Which type of solid does not have a definite shape or melting point?

• A. Covalent solids
• B. Crystalline solids
• C. Amorphous solids
• D. Molecular solids

Answer: (C)

Amorphous solids are characterized by their lack of a definite shape and melting point. Unlike crystalline solids, which have a well-ordered, repeating lattice structure that allows them to maintain a specific geometric form and exhibit distinct melting points, amorphous solids do not have this orderly arrangement of particles. As a result, they do not transform from solid to liquid at a specific temperature like crystalline solids do. Instead, they may gradually soften over a range of temperatures. This means that the molecular arrangement in amorphous solids is random and disordered, contributing to their irregular shapes and behavior.

Amorphous solids are characterized by their lack of a definite shape and melting point. Unlike crystalline solids, which have a well-ordered, repeating lattice structure that allows them to maintain a specific geometric form and exhibit distinct melting points, amorphous solids do not have this orderly arrangement of particles. As a result, they do not transform from solid to liquid at a specific temperature like crystalline solids do. Instead, they may gradually soften over a range of temperatures. This means that the molecular arrangement in amorphous solids is random and disordered, contributing to their irregular shapes and behavior.