How can impurities in a material affect its properties?

Impurities in a material can significantly impact its properties, particularly by weakening the material and altering its conductivity. When a material contains impurities, these foreign substances can disrupt the uniformity of its atomic structure. This disruption can lead to a decrease in tensile strength, making the material more susceptible to failure under stress.

Additionally, impurities can alter the electrical and thermal conductivity of a material. For instance, in metals, impurities can scatter electrons, reducing the efficiency of conduction, which impacts the material's overall electrical performance. This means that a material with impurities may not perform as well as a pure version in applications that rely on specific conductive properties.

Thus, understanding how impurities interact with the material at a microscopic level is crucial for predicting how they will affect the overall properties and performance, making the assessment of impurities vital in materials science and engineering.