Introduction

Solid-state is nothing but one of the states of matter. In our early days of schooling, we have learnt that matter exists in 3 states – solid, liquid and gas. However, as we progress from lower to higher classes the ideas get more advanced and there are more things to find out. In this lesson, we will be addressing with the idea of solid-state in a broader aspect and understand all the  terms including the properties as well as the types of solids.

Solids typically exhibit certain characteristics that set them apart from liquids and gases. For example, they have the ability to resist any force that's applied to its surface. However, the solid-state of compounds mostly depends on the properties of atoms such as their arrangement and also the forces acting between them.

1. Solids are incompressible, that means the constituent particle is organized close to each other and because of that, there's negligible space between the constituent particle.

2. Solids are rigid. This is because of the lack of space between the constituent particles that build it rigid or fixed.

3. Solids have definite mass, volume and shape because of that it has a compact arrangement of constituent particles.

4. The intermolecular distance between molecules is short. Due to this, the force between the constituent particles (atoms, molecules or ions) is very strong.

5. The constituents particles will solely oscillate about their mean positions.