Question 5: Refractive index of a solid is observed to have the same value along all directions. Comment on the nature of this solid. Would it show cleavage property?
Answer:
The solids are classified into two types:
a) Crystalline /true solids
b) Amorphous solids
To distinguish between crystalline and amorphous solids, isotropy and anisotropy plays a vital role.
Isotropy – The substances which have the same physical properties such as electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, refractive index etc. in all the directions in the space are called isotropic substances and this property is called as isotropy.
Anisotropy – The substances which have physical properties such as electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, refractive index etc. different in different directions in the space are called anisotropic substances and the property is called as anisotropy.
So a isotropic solid will have same refractive index in all the directions. Hence, amorphous solids are isotropic in nature. The reason for this is that in amorphous solids the arrangement of particles is random and disordered, therefore all directions are equivalent and properties are independent of direction .On the other hand, the particles in a crystalline solids are arranged & well ordered. Thus the arrangement of particles may be different in different directions.
CLEAVAGE-A crystalline solid when cut with a sharp edged tool such as knife gives a clean cleavage but an amorphous solid undergoes an irregular cleavage i.e. when an amorphous solid is cut with a sharp edged tool, it cuts into two pieces with irregular surfaces.
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