Crystal Systems

Crystal systems are classifications of crystals based on their atomic arrangement and symmetry. There are seven primary crystal systems: cubic, tetragonal, orthorhombic, hexagonal, rhombohedral, monoclinic, and triclinic. Each system has unique geometric properties determined by the angles between its crystal axes and the lengths of these axes. Understanding these systems helps in fields like mineralogy, chemistry, and materials science, as the properties of materials, such as their strength or how they interact with light, are often influenced by their crystal structure.