Crystal Properties

Abstract

Crystal structure is an orderly arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecular materials in a crystalline (orderly structured) material. The created structure is in three-dimensional space. The crystal structure is composed of a unit cell, a set of atoms constructed in a particular way. The crystal structure and symmetry play a role in determining many physical properties, such as cleavage (a sharp division; a split), electronic band structure (the range of energies that an electron within the solid may have (called energy bands, allowed bands, or simply bands) and ranges of energy, and optical transparency (the physical property of allowing light to pass through the material without being scattered).

Most of chemistry focuses on gases or liquids, and occasionally solids are introduced. The solid material is basically the materials most individuals use. Metals, ceramics, and plastics and combination of these materials make up many of substances in the world. To investigate the basic structure of the solid, an investigation in crystal structure is essential.