Defects in Solid
Crystalline solids are formed by the well-ordered replication of a volumetric number of unit cells in all directions. An ionic crystal that consists of a single unit cell with identical lattice points throughout the crystal is known as an ideal crystal. Regardless of whether such ideal crystals exist only at absolute zero (0K) temperature. At any temperature above 0 K, the crystals are somewhat out of a completely arranged arrangement. I
Any deviation from the perfectly arranged arrangement of constituent particles in a crystal is called a disorder or defect. Hence, Imperfection in solids refers to any abnormality in the pattern of crystal arrangement in solids. When crystals form, faults develop. It can happen very quickly or at a slower pace. Because particles don’t have enough time to arrange themselves in a regular manner, this happens.
Additional defects may occur in the crystal due to the presence of certain impurities. The term disorder or imperfection is widely practised to refer to an intimate way of going from the perfectly arranged state of the constituents of a crystal. These imperfections will not only alter the properties of the crystal but will also give rise to new properties.
Causes of Imperfections or Defects in a Solid
Various Causes of defects in solids are,
- Different types of Impurities found in the crystal lattice or in a solid make various defects in the solid.
- Vacancies in the lattice are responsible for various defects.
- Nonstoichiometric proportions of the ions cause defects in the solid.
- Dislocation of a particle in the lattice is also responsible for defects in solids.
Point Defects
Solids are made up of a lot of small crystals. However, the defect in solids occurs during the crystallization process due to the fast or moderate rate of crystal formation. Defects are described as irregularities in the arrangement of constituent particles in general. The defect could be a point or a line defect based on the irregular arrangement. A deviation point defect occurs in an ideal crystal when there are anomalies in the arrangement around any point or atom in the crystal. Similarly, a line defect occurs when there is a variation in the arrangement of the entire row of lattice points in crystals.
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