What form of solid is glass classified as?

Glass is classified as an amorphous solid, which means it has a disordered atomic structure unlike crystalline solids that have a highly ordered arrangement of atoms. The lack of a long-range order in the atomic arrangement of glass gives it unique properties, such as transparency and the ability to be molded into various shapes when heated.

In an amorphous solid like glass, the atoms or molecules do not form a repeating lattice structure, which distinguishes it from crystalline solids where this regular pattern leads to distinct geometrical shapes and defined melting points. This characteristic of glass allows for various applications, including windows and containers, where its non-crystalline nature plays a critical role in its functionality. Other forms of solids, such as metallic and polymeric solids, have different structural properties and behaviors, making them unsuitable classifications for glass.