PLASTIC CRYSTAL Meaning and
Definition
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Plastic crystal is a term commonly used in physics and materials science to describe a unique state of matter that exhibits some properties of both solids and liquids. It refers to a specific type of molecular arrangement found in certain substances known as liquid crystals.
A plastic crystal is formed when the molecules within a substance are organized in a regular pattern, resembling a solid crystal lattice, but the arrangement itself has some flexibility and can be altered similar to a liquid. This creates a material with unrestricted molecular motion, allowing it to flow and deform under certain conditions.
Unlike conventional crystals, plastic crystals lack a rigid, repeating structure and have a wide range of arrangements and orientations for their molecules. At low temperatures, they behave more like a solid with fixed positions for their molecules. However, as temperature increases, the molecular motions become more vibrant, resembling the behavior of liquids.
These fascinating materials possess properties such as high viscosity and low vapor pressure, similar to liquids, yet they retain some degree of translational order and anisotropy characteristic of solids. Due to their unique combination of solid-like and liquid-like properties, plastic crystals are employed in various applications such as in advanced display technologies, electronic devices, and optical filters.
Overall, the term "plastic crystal" describes a state of matter where the molecular arrangement exhibits both solid and liquid attributes, resulting in a material with a fluid-like nature that can flow and deform while retaining some degree of order.
Etymology of PLASTIC CRYSTAL
The term "plastic crystal" combines two distinct terms: "plastic" and "crystal".
The word "plastic" originated from the Latin word "plasticus" and the Greek word "plastikos", both meaning "capable of being shaped or molded". Initially, it was used to describe substances that can be easily molded or shaped into different forms. Over time, "plastic" evolved to encompass a broader range of materials, including those that are synthetic or man-made.
On the other hand, "crystal" originates from the Greek word "krystallos", which originally referred to ice. Ancient Greek philosophers thought that clear quartz crystals were ice that had frozen so intensely they would never thaw. Gradually, this word expanded to describe the geometrically arranged structure and transparency of various substances, not just ice.
