“Window glass is a crystal.”
Usage Entry 1299 / 1605 60-second read
Crystal vs. Glass
A solid with atoms in a regular, repeating pattern versus an amorphous solid (atoms disordered).
The comparisoni
“Window glass is amorphous — a glass. Crystals have atoms in a regular, repeating lattice (quartz, sugar, snowflakes). Note: "crystal glassware" is marketing, not chemistry.”
The ruleii
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CRYSTAL = ordered. GLASS = amorphous.
CRYSTAL has atoms arranged in a regular, repeating 3D pattern — quartz, sugar, snowflakes. GLASS is amorphous — atoms are disordered like a liquid, but frozen in place. "Crystal glassware" adds lead oxide to regular glass — still amorphous, despite the name.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Crystal ordered. Glass disordered.