crystal system
Quick Summary
Crystallography is the scientific study of the arrangement and bonding of atoms within crystalline solids, focusing on the geometric structure of crystal lattices. Historically, the optical properties of crystals were used in mineralogy and chemistry for identification. Modern crystallography utilizes X-ray diffraction to analyze crystal structures, enabling scientists to determine the internal arrangements and bonding of minerals and molecules, including complex ones like proteins and DNA.12
Crystal systems classify crystals based on their symmetries and the relative lengths and inclinations of their axes. The main systems include isometric, hexagonal, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic. For example, the isometric system features three equal-length, mutually perpendicular axes, while the hexagonal system has three equal axes at 120° angles in one plane, and a fourth perpendicular axis of a different length. A unit cell is the smallest repeating unit that makes up the crystal lattice.34567
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
