giant structure

In chemistry, a substance in which all the atoms or ions are strongly linked together in a lattice of bonds. Giant ionic structures are produced by ionic bonds, giant molecular structures are formed by covalent bonds, and metallic structures are held together by metallic bonding. All atoms in solid materials are arranged in an ordered pattern. There are three different arrangements of atoms in a giant structure: face-centred cubic structures, body-centred cubic structures, and simple close-packed structures. Substances with giant structures usually have high melting and boiling points.

The structure of a solid material can be determined using X-ray diffraction; X-ray beams are passed through a crystal and the diffracted X-rays form a pattern on a photographic plate. The properties of materials, such as shape, rigidity, fragility, conductivity, and strength, are explained by studying their structures.