
13/06/2024
Solids are divided into two groups: crystalline solids and amorphous solids. In crystalline solids, the constituent particles are arranged in a specific order. In amorphous solids, they are arranged in a chaotic manner, similar to liquids.
When a volcano erupts, magma can either flow out (called lava) or remain beneath the surface (called magma). Lava that flows out is affected by environmental factors causing it to cool quickly, preventing the atoms from grouping together, and resulting in a lack of crystalline structure. In contrast, magma that remains deep underground cools slowly, allowing enough time for the crystals to develop clearly.
An example of an amorphous solid is obsidian (volcanic glass), which has a glass-like structure, while an example of a crystalline solid is a clearly defined crystal like quartz.