crystalline structures

Crystalline structures are materials where atoms are arranged in a highly organized, repeating pattern called a crystal lattice. This regular arrangement extends in all directions, giving the substance a definite shape and consistent properties, such as sharp edges in quartz or cleavage lines in minerals. The specific pattern of the atoms determines the material’s characteristics, like hardness or melting point. Crystals form when substances cool or solidify in a way that allows atoms to settle into their most stable, structured arrangement, creating a solid with uniform internal structure.