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States of Matter & Gas Laws

Crystalline Solid

A solid in which the constituent particles are arranged in a regular, repeating three-dimensional pattern extending over long distances.

Unit Dimensionless

In depth

Long-range order gives crystalline solids sharp melting points, definite geometric external form, characteristic cleavage planes and anisotropic physical properties. They diffract X-rays into discrete spots, which is how their internal structures are determined.

Examples in the real world

Quartz, sodium chloride, diamond and metallic copper; snowflakes with their sixfold symmetry.