In most undergraduate general chemistry courses, a great deal of emphasis is placed on atomic and molecular structure, physical properties of substances, solution chemistry, acid-base chemistry etc., but little emphasis is placed on the chemical behavior of solids. To provide material on several topics in solid state chemistry, the goal of this and subsequent articles is to provide information that will elucidate important aspects. It is hoped that the content of these articles will provide surveys of broad topics that can be incorporated in chemistry courses and to stimulate thinking of both students and faculty members about the field. For several process in solids, diffusion of lattice members is required, and as a result, diffusion often plays an important role. Accordingly, in this first resource article, basic principles of solid state science that relate to diffusion, sintering, and annealing are presented. Articles to follow will discuss kinetics of processes in solids, phase transitions and reactions of solids, and reactions of solid coordination compounds and thereby provide a resource for teachers and students.
James E. House (Thu,) studied this question.