Question

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct regarding amorphous solids?

• A. They are also called as pseudo solids
• B. Amorphous solids are isotropic
• C. They have sharp melting point.
• D. $SiC$ is an example of amorphous solid

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B)

Amorphous solids are isotropic

Amorphous solids do not have a definite geometrical shape.
Characteristics of amorphous solids:
1. They don’t have long-range repetitive internal structures that are found in crystals.
2. Regular patterns are scattered and in between the arrangement is disordered.
3. They are formed by sudden cooling of a liquid, so they can be called supercooled liquids or pseudo solid
4. These are isotropic, which can show same properties in all directions.
5. They don't have sharp melting point due to the disordered arrangements. They have a range of temperature for melting.
6. They can be cut along random directions and have irregular surfaces.

$SiC$ is a covlaent solid which comes under the category of crystalline solids since they have a 3D arrangement of cation and anions in a ordered way and have a well defined regular shapes.