Orthorhombic
Template:Infobox crystal system
The orthorhombic crystal system is one of the seven crystal systems in three-dimensional space. It is characterized by three mutually perpendicular axes that are of unequal lengths. This system is a subset of the Bravais lattices, which describe the periodic arrangement of atoms in a crystal.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
In the orthorhombic system, the unit cell is defined by three vectors of different lengths, denoted as a, b, and c. The angles between these vectors are all 90 degrees, making the unit cell a rectangular prism. The orthorhombic system can be thought of as a generalization of the tetragonal crystal system, where the two base vectors are of different lengths.
Lattice Types[edit | edit source]
The orthorhombic crystal system includes four lattice types:
- Simple orthorhombic (also known as primitive orthorhombic): Only the corners of the unit cell are lattice points.
- Base-centered orthorhombic (also known as end-centered orthorhombic): Lattice points are located at the corners and the centers of two opposite faces.
- Body-centered orthorhombic: Lattice points are located at the corners and at the center of the unit cell.
- Face-centered orthorhombic: Lattice points are located at the corners and at the centers of all the faces of the unit cell.
Examples of Orthorhombic Crystals[edit | edit source]
Several minerals and compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic system. Some examples include:
Applications[edit | edit source]
Understanding the orthorhombic crystal system is crucial in fields such as mineralogy, materials science, and solid-state physics. The properties of materials, such as their optical properties, mechanical properties, and thermal properties, can be significantly influenced by their crystal structure.
Also see[edit | edit source]
- Crystal system
- Bravais lattice
- Tetragonal crystal system
- Monoclinic crystal system
- Triclinic crystal system
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD