
Pauling rules
Pauling rules are guidelines developed by chemist Linus Pauling to understand how atoms arrange themselves in crystals. They describe factors like the size and charge of ions, how many ions can fit around a central ion without repelling each other, and how stable the structure will be. These rules help predict the formation and structure of minerals and other crystalline materials, ensuring that the arrangement of atoms balances electrical forces and results in a stable, solid structure.