We have learnt earlier that matter exists in three states: solid, liquid and gas. Therefore, solid-state is nothing but one of the states of matter.
What is Solid-State Physics?
Solids generally display certain characteristics that are different from liquids and gases. For instance, solids can resist the force applied to their surface as compared to liquids and gases. The compounds in solid-state mainly depend on the properties of atoms, such as the forces acting between them, their arrangement, metallurgy, mechanics etc. So, we can define solid state physics as the branch of physics that deals with the study of rigid solid matter.
As we know that the formation of every solid material is because of the densely packed atoms, and the interaction between these atoms is responsible for the properties of the material. The electrical, mechanical, magnetic, thermal, and all kinds of properties of the solids depend on the interaction of their atoms. The materials involved and the conditions under which the solid is formed are responsible for the alignment of the atoms in a regular, geometric pattern or irregular pattern. As the geometric pattern changes, it directly affects the properties of the solid. For instance, graphite is a non-metal, but still, it conducts electricity, and mercury is a metal, but it is in a liquid state.
Crystalline solids like metals and amorphous solids like window glass are perfect examples of regular and irregular alignment patterns.
Types of Solid States
The solids are classified into two-state types based on the arrangement of constituent particles,
- Crystalline Solids
- Amorphous Solids
Important Questions on Solid State
1) Which one is the property of an ionic compound among the following?
a) High boiling and melting points
b) Non-conductors of electricity
c) Low melting and boiling points
d) None of these
Correct Option: (a)
Explanation: Since a lot of energy is required to break ionic compounds, they are very strong in nature, so they have high melting and boiling points.
2) In which state do ionic compounds conduct electricity?
a) When dissolved in water
b) In gaseous state
c) In solid-state
d) None of these
Correct Option: (c)
Explanation: If the ions of ionic compounds are free to move, they can conduct electricity. Hence when ionic compounds are dissolved in water, they behave as conductors.
3) Electricity can be conducted by which of the following covalent compounds?
a) Silica
b) Graphite
c) Hydrogen chloride
d) Diamond
Correct Option: (b)
Explanation: Since the electrons in metals are free to move, they can conduct electricity. Similarly, the covalent compound graphite conducts electricity because graphite is made up of carbon layers that can slide over each other.
4) Which among the following substances is a crystalline solid?
a) Anisotropic substances
b) Supercooled substances
c) Amorphous liquids
d) Isotropic substances
Correct Option: (a)
Explanation: The solids in which atoms are organised in an orderly manner are known as crystalline solids. They are called anisotropic substances because they have directional properties.
5) Which of the following is a property of Non-metallic crystals?
a) Highly electrical conductivity
b) Less brittle
c) Low electrical conductivity
d) High malleability
Correct Option: (c)
Explanation: Non-metallic crystals have low electrical conductivity and are also less ductile. On the other hand, metallic crystals are the opposite because they have high electrical conductivity and are more ductile.
6) Which among the following elements has a body-centred cubic structure?
a) Uranium
b) Silver
c) Gold
d) Tungsten
Correct Option: (d)
Explanation: The atoms in tungsten are organised in all eight corners, and it also has an extra atom in the centre that satisfies the condition of body centred cubic lattice.
7) What are the possible ways of arranging points of different types of lattices?
a) 40
b) 8
c) 14
d) 16
Correct Option: (c)
Explanation: There are 14 possible ways of positioning points in space lattice, according to Bravis, using the 7 crystal systems in a way that all the lattice points have precisely the same surrounding.
8) Which among the following properties is true for a metalloid?
a) Metalloids are poor conductors of heat and electricity
b) Metalloids are malleable
c) Metalloids are ductile
d) Metalloids are non-brittle
Correct Option: (a)
Explanation: The properties of metalloids lie between metals and non-metals. Hence, metalloids are malleable, non-ductile and brittle. Also, as compared to metals, metalloids are poor conductors of heat and electricity, but as compared to non-metals, they are better conductors of heat and electricity.
9) Amorphous solids have _______ structural pattern.
a) Linear
b) Regular
c) Irregular
d) Three dimensional
Correct Option: (c)
Explanation: Amorphous solids are materials which have an irregular structure, and also, the molecules in these materials are the basic structural solid. On the other hand, crystalline solids are generally arranged in a regular manner.
10) _____ is known as the smallest portion of the lattice.
a) Bravais crystal
b) Lattice structure
c) Lattice point
d) Unit cell
Correct Option: (d)
Explanation: The regular arrangement of points, geometrically in a crystal space, is known as a lattice. The unit cell, when repeated in all directions, gives rise to a lattice structure, and it is the smallest portion of the lattice.
Practice Questions
1) How many states of matter are there in physics?
2) What are the applications of solid-state in physics?
3) Define electrical conductivity.
4) What is ductility?
5) What is malleability?
|
Related Articles |
Suggested Videos
Stay tuned to BYJU’S and Fall in Love with Learning!
