Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
symmetry
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Diagram showing the seven primitive crystal systems with labeled 3D shapes: isometric (cubic), tetragonal, orthorhombic, hexagonal, triclinic, monoclinic, and rhombohedral (trigonal), each with axis orientation and a brief description of their geometric properties. Figure 1: Arrangements of molecules. Diagram showing four types of translation-free symmetry in crystals: a sixfold axis of rotation, a fourfold axis of inversion, a center of symmetry, and a mirror plane, each illustrated with a labeled purple crystal shape and explanatory text. Three illustrated crystals are shown to demonstrate different crystal classes and symmetries: a tall, prismatic monoclinic gypsum crystal; a pointed, double-ended tetragonal wulfenite crystal; and a cubic isometric halite crystal, each labeled with its crystal class and symmetry content.

symmetry: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Added a diagram depicting the seven primitive crystal systems. Dec 08, 2017
Add new Web site: University of Oklahoma - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry - Chemical Crystallography Laboratory - Symmetry in Crystallography. Aug 03, 2017
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Crystal symmetries. Feb 18, 2011
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
View Changes:
Article History
Revised:
By: