rotoinversion axis
Quick Summary
In crystallography, a rotoinversion axis is a compound symmetry element. It combines rotation around an axis with inversion. This means that after rotating the crystal by a specific angle (60, 90, 120, or 180 degrees), the structure and form of the crystal appear identical to its original configuration due to reflection across a plane perpendicular to the axis. Rotoinversion axes are symbolized by numbers like 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, where 1 is equivalent to a center of symmetry, and 2 is equivalent to a mirror plane. These symmetry elements are fundamental to understanding the internal atomic arrangement and external shape of crystalline solids.123
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