key term - Solids

Definition

Solids are one of the states of matter where molecules are closely packed together and vibrate around a fixed position. They have a definite shape and volume.

Related terms

Crystalline Solid:

A type of solid where the atoms or molecules are arranged in a well-ordered, repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions.

Amorphous Solid: A type of solid where there is no long-range order in the position of its atoms or molecules.

Polymerization: The process by which small molecules called monomers combine chemically to produce a very large chainlike or network molecule, called polymer.