Earth

These are things I‘ve seen or done, though of other input there may be a sliver.
Though I claim to know these things, your experience may differ.

Solids:

  • maintain fixed volume
  • maintain fixed shape
  • resist force
  • are shaped by impact

Crystals:

  • are often known by their natural shape
  • are sometimes known by their color
  • are said to consist of repeating sequences of specific elements
  • are said to have a highly ordered structure
  • can be created organically, and artificially
  • may form polymorphs

Minerals:

  • are often known by their color
  • have a crystalline structure
  • occur naturally
  • are inorganic
  • may form polymorphs

Polymorphs:

  • are said to have the same chemical composition, but different crystalline structures.
  • may have very different physical properties

Rocks:

  • consist of various crystals and minerals
  • have no definite shape
  • may be of differing colors

Metals tend to be:

  • hard
  • shiny
  • malleable; they can be hammered or pressed and remain intact
  • fusible; pieces can be easily connected through melting
  • ductile; they can be drawn into a thin wire

Glass:

  • is brittle
  • may be shaped through inflation
  • may be shaped through extrusion
  • may be shaped in molds, when molten
  • refracts
  • reflects
  • transmits light
  • resists chemical reaction
  • is impermeable to water
  • is said to be an amorphous solid; its structure is said not to be particularly well ordered

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