Question

Amorphous solids do not melt at a sharp temperature, rather these have softening range.

(a) True

(b) False

I have been asked this question by my college director while I was bunking the class.

This intriguing question comes from Elastic Limit topic in section Thermal Properties of Matter of Engineering Physics I

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) True

For explanation I would say: All bonds in an amorphous solid are not equally strong. When then solid is heated, weaker bonds gets ruptured at the lowest temperature and the stronger ones at higher temperatures. So the solid first softens and then finally melts.