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Concept
A crystal lattice is a highly ordered structure consisting of a repeating pattern of atoms, ions, or molecules in three-dimensional space, which gives rise to the unique properties of crystalline solids. Understanding the geometry and symmetry of crystal lattices is crucial for determining the material's physical properties, such as conductivity, strength, and optical characteristics.
Concept
Amorphous solids are materials that lack the long-range order characteristic of crystalline structures, resulting in unique properties such as isotropy and varying degrees of transparency. This disordered arrangement of atoms or molecules affects their mechanical, thermal, and optical behaviors, making them useful in applications like glass, polymers, and certain thin films.
Concept
Intermolecular forces are the forces of attraction or repulsion between neighboring molecules, crucial for determining the physical properties of substances such as boiling and melting points. These forces, while weaker than intramolecular forces (bonds within molecules), play a significant role in the behavior of liquids, solids, and gases.
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Material properties are the characteristics that define the behavior and performance of a material under various conditions, influencing its suitability for specific applications. These properties are determined by the material's composition, structure, and the interactions at the atomic or molecular level, and they are critical in fields such as engineering, manufacturing, and materials science.
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Chemical bonding is the process by which atoms combine to form molecules and compounds, driven by the attainment of a more stable electronic configuration. The main types of chemical bonds are ionic, covalent, and metallic, each involving different mechanisms of electron sharing or transfer.
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Molecular structure refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule, which determines its chemical properties and reactivity. Understanding Molecular structure is crucial for predicting how molecules interact in chemical reactions and in biological systems.
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Phase transitions are transformations between different states of matter, such as solid, liquid, and gas, characterized by abrupt changes in physical properties. These transitions occur at specific conditions of temperature and pressure, and are often associated with critical phenomena and symmetry breaking.
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Mechanical properties are the characteristics of materials that reveal their behavior under various forms of force and load, crucial for determining their suitability in different applications. These properties include elasticity, plasticity, toughness, and hardness, which collectively influence a material's performance in mechanical systems.
Concept
The Higuchi model is a mathematical model used to describe the release of drugs from a solid matrix, primarily focusing on diffusion-controlled release mechanisms. It is particularly useful for predicting the release kinetics of drugs from non-swelling, porous matrices over time, assuming a constant diffusion coefficient and a uniform initial drug distribution.
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