Glasvormige

Glasvormige is a Dutch term that translates to "glass-like" or "vitreous" in English. It is commonly used to describe materials that share certain properties with glass, particularly their amorphous structure and transparency or translucency. In geology, it refers to volcanic rocks that have cooled so rapidly that mineral crystals have not had time to form, resulting in a glassy texture. Examples include obsidian, pumice, and scoria. These materials are characterized by their conchoidal fracture, meaning they break with curved, shell-like surfaces.

Beyond geology, the term can also be applied to other substances exhibiting a similar non-crystalline, glassy appearance. This might include certain types of ceramics, plastics, or even biological tissues. The key characteristic is the absence of a regular, repeating atomic or molecular arrangement, which distinguishes them from crystalline materials. The degree of transparency can vary, with some glasvormige materials being perfectly clear and others being opaque due to trapped gas bubbles or impurities.