Covalent Network Solid

Definition

A solid built from electrons shared across an extended framework rather than from separable positive and negative ions, as in quartz and silicate minerals.

In quartz and many silicate minerals the solid is an extended covalent silicon-oxygen framework where electrons are shared across the structure rather than localized on individual ions. Water’s usual strategy of surrounding charge and stabilizing separation has almost nothing to grip. Instead of true ionic dissolution, water chips away at edges in a slow surface reaction, forming silicic acid one unit at a time.

Related concepts

Silica Dissolution · Ionic Solids · Silicic Acid

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧱 materials