What is a covalent crystal, Science

Assignment Help:

What is a covalent crystal?

A covalent crystal is one in which the lattice structure is held together by powerful covalent bonds. These crystals tend not to be soluble in water and have a much higher bond strength than ionic crystals. For example, silica, SiO2, does not dissolve in water and has a high melting point. Silica is what glass is made out of. Imagine trying to make a glass out of salt crystals; it would dissolve before you could drink a glass of water out of it! Solubility is a major difference between covalent and ionic crystals.

Diamonds are a great example of how strong the bonds in a covalent crystal can be. The lattice structure of diamonds produces the hardest known substance in the universe.

To complicate things, the vast majority of complex minerals are a combination of ionic and covalent bonds. These crystals will not be discussed in depth in this lesson, but it is important to know that this third category exists, and it is the largest category of minerals and crystals. If you observe the complex formulas of many minerals, like muscovite, which is KAl3Si3O10(OH)2, you will see that it is not so cut and dry what type of bond is holding these atoms together. Is this a covalent or ionic mineral? The answer is: it is both.


Related Discussions:- What is a covalent crystal

Earth Science, what feactures of sedimentary rocks are unlikely to be found...

what feactures of sedimentary rocks are unlikely to be found in metaphoric rocks

Define hypovolemia or reduction in blood volume, Define Hypovolemia or Redu...

Define Hypovolemia or Reduction in Blood Volume Hypovolemia leads to a decrease in cardiac output, which causes a fall in the systemic blood pressure. Hypovolemia may be produc

Procuring and storing animal materials, Procuring and storing animal materi...

Procuring and storing animal materials (i) You can begin by asking for a clarification or reaching a common understanding regarding the oft-used terminology, for instance, anim

Preparation of oil from oilseeds, Q. List the main steps involved in the pr...

Q. List the main steps involved in the preparation of oil from oilseeds? The main steps involved in the preparation of oil from oilseeds are: preparation of the raw material,

Euglena, special or unique organelles and how they assist euglena

special or unique organelles and how they assist euglena

Define physiology, The  term physiology -physio meaning native and logos ...

The  term physiology -physio meaning native and logos meaning discourse, is a Greek  word, a synonym for natural philosophy. As the evolutionary processes progressed, the need

Explain automaticity - properties of a beating heart, Explain Automaticity ...

Explain Automaticity - Properties of a Beating Heart Take out my heart from my body and it will still go on and on beating. How true! Even a completely denervated heart eom the

Effects of global warming, Effects of Global warming ñ Alterations in ...

Effects of Global warming ñ Alterations in the Global Precipitation: A more warm atmosphere will contribute to enhanced evaporation from surface waters and leads to the more

Explain the stagnant or ischemic hypoxia, Explain the Stagnant or Ischemic ...

Explain the Stagnant or Ischemic Hypoxia It is a hypoxia resulting from slow peripheral circulation (such as follows congestive cardiac failure). In this, the blood flow to the

Determine in brief about the soil texture, Determine in brief about the soi...

Determine in brief about the soil texture The texture is generally determined by the relative proportions of sand, silt and clay.  If various size fractions of the particles co

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd