Submitted by stinkybuttttt t3_10obltn in explainlikeimfive
WinBarr86 t1_j6dtdh3 wrote
Reply to comment by ToxiClay in ELI5- what is the difference between a liquid and a fluid? by stinkybuttttt
Amorphous means it changes.
Definition.
An amorphous solid is a liquid that does not flow: its atomic structure is disordered like that of a liquid but it is rigid and holds its shape like a solid.Jul 7, 2008
ToxiClay t1_j6dtyue wrote
That's the same misconception.
"Amorphous solid" means that it lacks the long-range order characteristic of crystalline material. It resembles a liquid, but it is not a liquid.
WinBarr86 t1_j6du8sq wrote
W.e man. I litteraly linked the definition of amorphous solid.
ToxiClay t1_j6duppj wrote
You did, and you're still wrong.
An amorphous solid can be described like a liquid, but that doesn't mean it is one. An amorphous solid does not flow; it does not assume the shape of its container.
It is not a liquid.
WinBarr86 t1_j6dws6k wrote
An amorphous material has a liquid atomic structure but does not flow as a fluid.
That is the litteral definition of amorphous materials.
They are classified as a solid liquid or non fluid liquid.
ToxiClay t1_j6dx1mg wrote
They're solids. An amorphous solid is a solid.
WinBarr86 t1_j6dxwrs wrote
That has the atomic makeup of liquid structure. A non crystalline lattice.
ToxiClay t1_j6dyn7u wrote
But it's still a solid.
>In condensed matter physics and materials science, an amorphous solid (or non-crystalline solid) is a solid that lacks the long-range order that is characteristic of a crystal. The terms "glass" and "glassy solid" are sometimes used synonymously with amorphous solid; however, these terms refer specifically to amorphous materials that undergo a glass transition. Examples of amorphous solids include glasses, metallic glasses, and certain types of plastics and polymers.
>An amorphous metal (also known as metallic glass, glassy metal, or shiny metal) is a solid metallic material, usually an alloy, with disordered atomic-scale structure. Most metals are crystalline in their solid state, which means they have a highly ordered arrangement of atoms. Amorphous metals are non-crystalline, and have a glass-like structure.
WinBarr86 t1_j6dz1i3 wrote
Science named it amorphous solids.
In the most basic sense it's a solid liquid. But that's not conducive to the model so they named it amorphous solid.
It's a solid that is atomicly a liquid or should be according to the standard model of physics. But it's not. So it's an amorphous solid.
jmukes97 t1_j6dym8q wrote
Still a solid tho
Belzeturtle t1_j6ep8h7 wrote
Physicist here. Amorphous doesn't mean it changes. Amorphous means "it has no long-range order". As opposed to crystalline solids, where this longe-range translational symmetry is present.
Glass is an amorphous solid. It's not a liquid. It has a structure somewhat similar to a liquid, but calling it "a liquid which doesn't flow" is like calling a tank "an aeroplane that doesn't fly".
phunkydroid t1_j6f8v5e wrote
>Amorphous means it changes
No, it doesn't. It means it has non crystalline structure.
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