Crystal Structure (SRD) - Physics Assignment
What is a Crystal Structure?
A crystal structure is the orderly, repeating arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in a solid
material. In crystals, particles are arranged in a three-dimensional pattern known as a lattice.
Basic Terms:
1. Lattice:
A 3D periodic arrangement of points in space, where each point represents the position of an atom,
ion, or molecule.
2. Unit Cell:
The smallest repeating unit of the crystal lattice that fully describes the structure of the crystal by
repeating in all directions.
3. Basis:
The atom or group of atoms associated with each lattice point.
4. Bravais Lattice:
There are 14 distinct types of 3D lattices (Bravais lattices) that describe all possible periodic
arrangements of points in space.
Types of Crystal Structures:
1. Simple Cubic (SC)
2. Body-Centered Cubic (BCC)
3. Face-Centered Cubic (FCC)
4. Hexagonal Close-Packed (HCP)
Important Parameters:
- Lattice Parameters:
Edge lengths (a, b, c) and Angles between edges (α, β, γ)
- Coordination Number:
Number of nearest neighbors of an atom.
- Packing Factor (APF):
Fraction of volume occupied by atoms in the unit cell.
Significance of Crystal Structure:
- Determines physical properties like electrical conductivity, strength, and optical behavior.
- Used in understanding solid-state devices, metallurgy, and material science.
Example: FCC Structure
Atoms are located at each corner and at the centers of all faces of the cubic unit cell.
High packing factor (~0.74) → Closely packed → Good for metals like Aluminum, Copper.
Conclusion:
The study of crystal structure and its arrangement helps explain the properties of materials and is
fundamental in fields like solid-state physics and materials science.
