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Covalent Network Solids

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State

A covalent network solid is held by a continuous three-dimensional network of covalent bonds spanning the entire crystal.

Show

Diamond, a covalent carbon network, is among the hardest known substances and melts only above 3500 °C.

Watch for

Melting one means breaking actual covalent bonds throughout, not overcoming intermolecular attraction — why these solids are so hard.