Question

State the main characteristics of a network type of crystal citing a suitable example.

Answer 1

1. All atoms are bonded by strong covalent bonds in a continuous three-dimensional network.
2. The structure is rigid and hard and has a high melting point due to strong bonding.
3. They are generally insulators, as there are no free electrons (e.g., diamond).
4. In the case of diamond, a tetrahedral geometry bonds each carbon atom to four other carbon atoms.