Network Solid Definition in Chemistry

What Is a Network Solid?

Collection of diamonds — Diamonds are an example of network solids.
Jesper Hilding Klausen, Getty Images

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Updated on July 08, 2019

A network solid is a substance made up of an array of repeating covalently bonded atoms. Network solids are also known as covalent network solids. Because of the way atoms are arranged, a network solid may be considered a type of macromolecule. Network solids may be either crystals or amorphous solids.

Network Solid Examples

Diamonds are network solids made of carbon atoms. Quartz is a network solid made of continuous SiO₂ subunits. A silicon crystal is another example, consisting of Si atoms.

Network Solid Properties

The covalent bonding lends network solids characteristic properties:

Generally insoluble in any solvent
Very hard
High melting point
Low electrical conductivity in the liquid phase
Variable electrical conductivity in the solid phase (depends on bonding)

Source

Zumdahl, Steven S.; Zumdahl, Susan A. (2000). Chemistry (5 ed.). Houghton Mifflin, pp. 470–6. ISBN 0-618-03591-5.

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Your Citation

Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Network Solid Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-network-solid-605396. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 29). Network Solid Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-network-solid-605396 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Network Solid Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-network-solid-605396 (accessed June 6, 2023).