Crystallography

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Crystallography is a branch of science that studies the arrangement of atoms in crystalline solids. The word crystallography derives from the Greek words "krystallos," meaning clear ice, and "grapho," meaning to write.

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Crystallography is a field of study that involves determining the arrangement and bonding of atoms in crystalline materials and the geometric structure of crystal lattices. It is a crucial aspect of materials science, chemistry, and mineralogy.

History[edit | edit source]

The study of crystals began with the work of the ancient Greeks. The term "crystallography" itself comes from the Greek words for "cold drop, frozen drop," with its meaning extending to all solids with some degree of transparency, and "to write."

Principles of Crystallography[edit | edit source]

Crystallography is based on the principles of X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and electron diffraction. These techniques allow scientists to study the structure of a crystal, including the arrangement of its atoms, its chemical bonds, and its overall crystal structure.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Crystallography has many applications in various fields. In chemistry, it is used to determine the structure of complex molecules. In materials science, it is used to understand the properties of materials. In geology, it is used to identify minerals and understand their structures.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Crystallography Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD