Is Glass a Solid?

A crystal is a solid and as glass is made from crystalline quartz one would believe that it was a solid. As per scientific terms a solid must have its building blocks arranged in a three dimensional space. That means that the atoms, ions or molecules which make up the solid need to be arranged in a regular pattern.

The trouble with glass is that it is made by heating a mixture of quartz, soda and chalk the melting point of more than 1,100 degree Celsius. This means that even after it cools down the building blocks stay in a amorphous, non crystalline state.

It is only in liquids that the atoms, ions and molecules are found in an amorphous state. So this irregular distribution of the building blocks of glass show that it is actually a frozen liquid. At least in terms of scientific definition based on the arrangement of its molecules.

So then why is it called Crystal Glass? This is basically a misnomer as the glass is blown with lead oxide, zinc oxide or barium oxide in order to increase its refractive index. This gives the glass blown with such an additive a sparkle like a regular crystal, but it is still a frozen liquid as far as science is concerned.