Crystalline Solid

• The atoms in crystalline solid matter

are arranged in regular repeating
patterns
• Eg-Metal.
 Amorphous Solid
 
• All other types of solid matter are
amorphous or without a regular
atomic arrangement.
• Eg-Glass
 What is Crystal?
• Every crystal consists of an
assemblage of atoms or group of
atoms which are arranged in a three
dimensional pattern.
• This assemblage is found to be
repeated throughout a crystal.
• Minerals have a definite chemical
composition and atomic structure.
• These characteristics are manifested
in the development of these different
crystal forms.
Crystal of Amethyst Quartz
Crystals are homogeneous solids with a
definite internal atomic framework,
expressed externally in flat faces of
definite shape.
 What is crystallization?
• Crystallization is the process of
forming a crystalline structure from a
fluid or from materials dissolved in a
fluid.
• Crystallization is a complex and
extensively-studied field, because
depending on the conditions, a single
fluid can solidify into many different
possible forms.
 What is crystallography?
• The study of these solid bodies their
growth, external shape and internal
structure is known as
crystallography.
• Study of internal order of crystals &
their external symmetry &
morphology is designated as
crystallography.
 What is Crystal symmetry Elements?

• Crystal show certain regularity of position of

faces, edges, corners, solid angles etc.
• The geometric location about which a group
repeating operations acts is known as
symmetry element.
On the basis of respective repetition in centre, line & plane the symmetry are follows as-
1. Plane of symmetry
It is an imaginary plane which divides a crystal into
halves, each of which in perfectly developed crystals
is the mirror image of other.
Also called reflection planes.
It may be diagonal, vertical or horizontal.
Eg- Nine symmetry planes in hexoctahedral class of
Isometric System
2. Axis of Symmetry
 i)Axis of 2-fold symmetry

• The crystal is repeated 2 times during a complete

rotation, it is the axis of 2-fold symmetry.
• During a complete rotation of crystal along an
axis , similar plane , edges & solid angles should
be appeared as of the original position.
• It is denoted by letter ‘A2’& graphically
represented as lens shaped. Eg-
• positive side , negative side ,
• overlap side
 ii) Axis of 3 fold symmetry

• when a crystal occupies the position thrice in a

complete rotation about an axis, this is called
as an axis of three fold symmetry.
• It is denoted by letter ‘A3’ & graphically
represented by triangle. Eg- positive side,
negative side & overlap side
 iii) Axis of 4-fold symmetry

• When a crystal occupies the same position 4

times in a complete rotation
• about an axis ,then it is called as an axis of 4-
fold symmetry.
• It is denoted by letter‘A4’ 7 graphically
represented by square.
• Eg- positive side, negative side,
• Overlap side
 iv) Axis of six- fold symmetry

• When a crystal occupies the same position six

times in a complete rotation about an axis,
then it is called as an axis of six fold symmetry.
It is denoted by letter ‘A6 ’& graphically
represented by hexagon. Eg- +ve side,
• -ve side & Overlap side
3. Centre of symmetry
 A centre of a crystal through which
an imaginary line can be passed
from any point on its surface
through its centre.
It is represented by letter C or i.
All faces of the crystal occur in
parallel pairs for the crystal posses a
center.
d) Axis of roto-inversion
When through the combined rotation about
an axis & inversion about the central point of
a geometric features repeats itself in
appearance is known as an axis of roto-
inversion.
It is denoted by letter A or i.
What is Bravias lattice?
Unit cell is the fundamental element of structure in a
crystalline substance.
It consists of a regularly ordered arrangement of
atoms (the lattice) which is repeated exactly in all
directions & confirms to the symmetry.
In 1948,Bravias pointed out fourteen simple lattices in
six crystal systems known as Bravais Lattices.
 There are different lattices in the different crystal
systems.
Those are –
• 1)Isometric System- •3) Tetragonal system
•a) Primitive(P)
• a) Primitive (P) •b)Body centered(I)
• b)Body centered(I) •c) Face centered(F)
• c)Face centered(F) •d) End Centered (C)

•5)Monoclinic System
• 2)Hexagonal System- •a) Primitive (P)
• a) Primitive (P)or End •b) End Centered (C)
Centered (C)
•6) Triclinic System
• b) Rhombohedral(R) •a) Primitive (P)
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
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 What is Bravias Law?

• “Auguste Bravais”was a French physicist

known for his work in crystallography,the
conception of Bravais lattice & the formulation
of Bravais law.
• A face is more commonly developed in a
crystal if it intersects a larger no. of lattice
points.
• This is known as the Bravais law.
Different types of form(after Dana & Ford 1959)
 Forms of Crystal

• The forms of crystals include a group of faces

having a like position relative to the center, planes
or axes of symmetry & display the same chemical
& physical properties.
• Because these all are underlain by like atoms in
the same geometrical arrangement.
• Forms are of two types
• Closed form in which the faces are found as
enclosed system.
• Open form consists of the faces without closed
system.
a) Pedion-A single face in a crystal system is called as Pedion.
b) Pinacoid-Two parallel faces joining at opposite side are
known as pinacoids.
c) Dome-Two non-parallel faces symmetrical with respect to
a symmetry plane is called as dome.
d) Sphenoid-Two non parallel faces symmetrical with respect
to a symmetry planes is called sphenoid.
e)Prism- Two or more parallel faces which are symmetrical
& parallel to axis are called prisms.
There may be 3,4,6,8 or 12 faces.
f) Pyramid-The form with three or more non-parallel faces
meeting at a common point. There may be 3,4,6,8,12 faces
in a pyramid.
g) Scalenohedron-This form consists of 8-faced (tetragonal)
or 12 faced (hexagonal) closed forms with the faces grouped
in symmetrical pairs.
h) Trapezohedron-This form consists of 6,8,or 12 faces above
offset from 3,4or 6 faces below.
i) Dipyramid –Repetition of pyramid in opposite side is known
as dipyramid.
Law of Constancy of interfacial angles
 Law of Constancy of interfacial angles

• This law states that angle between adjacent

corresponding faces is inter facial angles of the
crystal of a particular substance is always
constant inspite of different shapes and sizes
and mode of growth of crystal.
• The size and shape of crystal depend upon the
conditions of crystallization.
• This law is also known as Steno's Law.
 Crystallographic Axes
• are imaginary reference lines which often
coincide with symmetry axes or normals to
symmetry planes
• as in symmetry axes these help in orientation
of crystals and are important in explaining
concepts as unit cells and Miller indices
• hexagonal crystals have 4 axes and all non
hexagonal crystals have 3 axes
 Crystallographic Axes (cont)
• axes are compared by lengths and angles of
intersection with each other on the crystal
• axes are designated as a, b, and c, when
unequal in lengths on a crystal or by a1…a3 if
equal in length
• if the c axis is present, it will always lie in the
vertical plane while the a and b axes lie in the
horizontal plane
• triclinic system-3 unequal axes all
intersecting at oblique angles-none of the
axes correspond with symmetry axes
• monoclinic system-3 unequal axes, a and
c intersect at an oblique angle and the b
axis is perpendicular to each.
• orthorhombic--3 unequal axes, all mutually
perpendicular--the c axis corresponds to an A2 if present
and is that on which the pyramid, dipyramid or dome etc.
are found --prism faces, if present are parallel to the c axis
• tetragonal--3 mutually perpendicular axes, 2 are equal in
length (a, a) and the third, c, is longer or shorter than the
others--all forms present form on or parallel the c axis
• hexagonal system--4 axes, 3 equal, found in the same
plane and intersect at 60 degrees (a,a,a) and the 4th
axis (c) perpendicular to and longer or shorter than the
others--all forms form on or parallel to the c axis
• isometric system--3 equal and mutually perpendicular
axes