
The metal lattice structure explains its properties: mechanical strength, heat, electrical conductivity, and fusibility. Sometimes these electrons are called electric gas. There are electrons between the nodes, which are involved in the creation of an electric field. Metal lattices have positively charged metal ions in the lattice sites. Metal LatticeĪ metal lattice structure is more flexible and plastic than the ionic one, although outwardly they are very similar. The bonds between the lattice molecules are quite weak. Ice is a good example of a molecular lattice – a solid substance, which has the property of passing into a liquid matter. They are held by the Van der Walsh forces that are ten times weaker than the forces of the ionic interaction. They are located in the nodes of the crystal lattice. Molecular LatticeĪ molecular lattice is characterized by the presence of stable and closely-packed molecules. Such chemical elements as diamond, silicon, germanium, and boron have atomic lattices. Chemical elements with atomic lattices have a high melting point. Perhaps this is the most characteristic feature of the atomic lattice. This is the reason why covalent bonds bind atoms in a strict order. They form a common pair of electrons for neighboring atoms. Covalent bonds happen when two identical atoms share electrons with each other.
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Substances with an atomic lattice have a strong covalent bond in their sites consisting of atoms themselves. Table salt is a good example of an ionic lattice. These electric charges create an electromagnetic field, and this field determines the properties of substances having an ionic lattice: refractoriness, hardness, density and the ability to conduct electricity. There are fourteen types of crystal lattices.Īn ionic lattice has the opposite electric charge of ions.

The structure of a crystal lattice is shown here. The structure of a crystal lattice consists of small unit cells: atoms, molecules, ions, and other elementary particles. The crystal lattice is the arrangement of atoms in a crystal. This crystalline structure has a certain order, creating a crystal lattice. The solid objects (whether diamond or salt) have a special crystalline structure they contain tiny interlocking crystals. Do you know what table salt and a beautiful diamond have in common? Based on their structure, they are both solid objects. Yet, there is a state of plasma, which scientists consider to be the fourth state of matter, but our article is not about plasma. All material substances exist in three basic states: liquid, solid, and gaseous.
