Crystal systems and mineral describing Flashcards
What will not be the case in olivine with silicon and oxygen bond?
oxygen linked to each silicon not directly connected to another silicon bonded oxygen
What affects whether an ion can be accommodated by a structure?
charge
ionic radius
What is a unit cell? (crystal structure)
smallest repeating unit
What way can unit cell be be defined by?
Three axes
Three angles
What are the axes/angles for unit cell?
A B C
specific lengths
(C longest axis)
Angles will be in between the axes
What is the simplest structure that can be defined by unit cell?
a cube
What is another name for the cubic system?
isometric system
What will the symmetry of angles be like in systems with varying axes lengths?
less symmetry
What is an orthorhombic structure?
A B C axes are different lengths but angles are still at 90*
What is an example of an orthorhombic structure?
orthopyroxene
How many crystal systems are there?
6
What three factors define which system forms?
how many axes it has
length of axes
angle at which axes meet
What are the 6 crystal systems?
simple cubic
tetragonal
orthorhombic
monoclinic
triclinic
Hexagonal family (hexagonal and trigonal)
What will the axes and angles be like in a cubic system?
Axes - all same length
Angles- all intersect at 90*
Are cubic systems simple?
No
means it has high symmetry and structure consistent in all directions
What does isotropic mean?
properties are identical in all directions
What are some examples of minerals with cubic systems?
Garnet
Diamond
Gold
What shapes can crystals in the cubic system create?
cube
octahedron
dodecahedron
What are the axes and angles like in a tetragonal system?
3 axes C is longer than A & B
angles all intersect at 90*
What is the unit cell in a tetragonal system?
rectangular prism
What are some examples of minerals that have a tetragonal system?
rutile
zircon
What shapes can crystals in the tetragonal system create?
tetragonal prism
Dipyramid
Pyramid with prism
What are the axes and angles like in an orthorhombic system?
Axes all different lengths
Angles all intersect at 90*
What minerals have an orthorhombic system?
andaulsite
enstatite
olivine
What shapes can crystals be for an orthorhombic system?
dipyramid
Rectangular or cubic prism
What will the axes and angles be like for a monoclinic system?
Axes all different lengths
Angles- a and c intercept at 90* b doesnt
What are some examples of minerals with monoclinic systems?
orthorclase feldspar
diopside
Staurolite