Question

Crystalline solid are anisotropic in nature. What does this statement means?​

Answer 1

Anisotropic means that properties of crystalline solids like refractive index thermal conductivity electrical conductivity etc. Some Crystalline solids are Anisotropic because despite showing periodicity they are not exactly the same in all directions. It all depends on the symmetry of the unit cell of the crystal. Like liquids, solids have high intermolecular forces that hold atoms and molecules in fixed positions. A crystalline solid is one in which the molecules or atoms are arranged in highly ordered repeating patterns. Some solids do not form crystals and do not behave as solids. These are called amorphous (without form).