Triclinic crystal system: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description| | {{Short description|An article about the triclinic crystal system in crystallography}} | ||
==Overview== | == Overview == | ||
The '''triclinic crystal system''' is one of the seven [[crystal system|crystal systems]] in [[crystallography]]. It is characterized by | The '''triclinic crystal system''' is one of the seven [[crystal system|crystal systems]] in [[crystallography]]. It is the least symmetric of all the crystal systems, characterized by three axes of unequal length that intersect at oblique angles. This system is defined by the absence of any symmetry other than the identity operation. | ||
==Characteristics== | == Characteristics == | ||
In the triclinic system, the unit cell is defined by three vectors of unequal length, denoted as | In the triclinic system, the unit cell is defined by three vectors of unequal length, denoted as \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\). The angles between these vectors, \(\alpha\), \(\beta\), and \(\gamma\), are all different and none of them are 90 degrees. This lack of symmetry results in a very flexible and adaptable structure, allowing for a wide variety of crystal shapes. | ||
== | == Crystallographic Axes == | ||
[[File:Microcline.jpeg|thumb|right|Microcline, a mineral that crystallizes in the triclinic system]] | |||
The axes in the triclinic system are labeled as \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\), with the angles \(\alpha\), \(\beta\), and \(\gamma\) representing the angles between \(b\) and \(c\), \(a\) and \(c\), and \(a\) and \(b\) respectively. The general conditions for the triclinic system are: | |||
* \(a \neq b \neq c\) | |||
* \(\alpha \neq \beta \neq \gamma \neq 90^\circ\) | |||
==Examples== | == Examples == | ||
One of the most well-known minerals that crystallizes in the triclinic system is [[microcline]], a type of [[feldspar]]. Microcline is often found in [[granite]] and is known for its distinctive grid-like twinning pattern, known as "[[tartan twinning]]". | |||
== Symmetry == | |||
The triclinic system has the lowest symmetry of all the crystal systems. It possesses only a single symmetry operation, which is the identity operation. This means that there are no rotational or reflectional symmetries present in the triclinic system. | |||
==Related pages== | == Related pages == | ||
* [[Crystal system]] | * [[Crystal system]] | ||
* [[Crystallography]] | * [[Crystallography]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Microcline]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Feldspar]] | ||
[[Category:Crystallography]] | [[Category:Crystallography]] | ||
[[Category:Mineralogy]] | [[Category:Mineralogy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:49, 15 February 2025
An article about the triclinic crystal system in crystallography
Overview[edit]
The triclinic crystal system is one of the seven crystal systems in crystallography. It is the least symmetric of all the crystal systems, characterized by three axes of unequal length that intersect at oblique angles. This system is defined by the absence of any symmetry other than the identity operation.
Characteristics[edit]
In the triclinic system, the unit cell is defined by three vectors of unequal length, denoted as \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\). The angles between these vectors, \(\alpha\), \(\beta\), and \(\gamma\), are all different and none of them are 90 degrees. This lack of symmetry results in a very flexible and adaptable structure, allowing for a wide variety of crystal shapes.
Crystallographic Axes[edit]
The axes in the triclinic system are labeled as \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\), with the angles \(\alpha\), \(\beta\), and \(\gamma\) representing the angles between \(b\) and \(c\), \(a\) and \(c\), and \(a\) and \(b\) respectively. The general conditions for the triclinic system are:
- \(a \neq b \neq c\)
- \(\alpha \neq \beta \neq \gamma \neq 90^\circ\)
Examples[edit]
One of the most well-known minerals that crystallizes in the triclinic system is microcline, a type of feldspar. Microcline is often found in granite and is known for its distinctive grid-like twinning pattern, known as "tartan twinning".
Symmetry[edit]
The triclinic system has the lowest symmetry of all the crystal systems. It possesses only a single symmetry operation, which is the identity operation. This means that there are no rotational or reflectional symmetries present in the triclinic system.
