long-range order

chemistry

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June 30, 2026

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Long-range order refers to the precise, repeating arrangement of atoms or molecules throughout a material. This ordered structure is characteristic of crystalline solids, where knowing the position of one atom allows for the precise determination of all other atomic positions. In contrast, amorphous solids lack this long-range order, though they may exhibit short-range order, meaning atoms are arranged predictably only in their immediate vicinity. Quasicrystals are a unique state of matter that possess long-range order but lack the precise, repeating pattern of traditional crystals; their atomic arrangements are ordered but do not recur at regular intervals. This quasiperiodic order distinguishes them from both amorphous solids and conventional crystals.123

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amorphous solid
Distinction between crystalline and amorphous solids
…crystal exhibit a property called long-range order or translational periodicity; positions repeat in space in a regular array, as in Figure 2A. In an amorphous solid, translational periodicity is absent. As indicated in Figure 2B, there is no long-range order. The atoms are not randomly distributed in space, however, as…
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…crystal exhibit a property called long-range order or translational periodicity; positions repeat in space in a regular array, as in Figure 2A. In an amorphous solid, translational periodicity is absent. As indicated in Figure 2B, there is no long-range order. The atoms are not randomly distributed in space, however, as…
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crystal
Long- and short-range order
A solid is crystalline if it has long-range order. Once the positions of an atom and its neighbours are known at one point, the place of each atom is known precisely throughout the crystal. Most liquids lack long-range order, although many…
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A solid is crystalline if it has long-range order. Once the positions of an atom and its neighbours are known at one point, the place of each atom is known precisely throughout the crystal. Most liquids lack long-range order, although many…
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crystal
Ferromagnetic materials
…have short-range order but not long-range order. Short-range order means there is local ordering. If a moment points in one direction, its neighbours have a tendency to point in the same direction. This tendency is maintained over several lattice sites but is not maintained for long distances. Long-range order is…
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…have short-range order but not long-range order. Short-range order means there is local ordering. If a moment points in one direction, its neighbours have a tendency to point in the same direction. This tendency is maintained over several lattice sites but is not maintained for long distances. Long-range order is…
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quasicrystal
Translational periodicity and symmetry
…quasicrystal displays a property called long-range order, which is lacking in amorphous metals. Long-range order permits rows of atoms to span the image and maintains agreement of row orientations. Ordinary crystal structures, such as that of Figure 1, display long-range order. Strict rules govern the relative placement of atoms at…
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…quasicrystal displays a property called long-range order, which is lacking in amorphous metals. Long-range order permits rows of atoms to span the image and maintains agreement of row orientations. Ordinary crystal structures, such as that of Figure 1, display long-range order. Strict rules govern the relative placement of atoms at…
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