section_path: Descriptive inorganic chemistry/Solid state compounds
section_name: Solid state compounds
paragraph_text: Solid state compounds
  
  This important area focuses on structure, bonding, and the physical properties of materials. In practice, solid state inorganic chemistry uses techniques such as crystallography to gain an understanding of the properties that result from collective interactions between the subunits of the solid. Included in solid state chemistry are metals and their alloys or intermetallic derivatives. Related fields are condensed matter physics, mineralogy, and materials science.