lattice planes

Lattice planes are flat, repeating layers within a crystal structure, much like the layers of a honeycomb or stacked sheets. In metals and minerals, atoms arrange themselves in regular patterns, creating these planes that extend throughout the material. They help describe the internal architecture of the crystal and are crucial in understanding its properties, such as how it fractures or conducts heat. The notation used to identify these planes indicates their orientation, telling us how the layers are aligned relative to the entire structure.