krystallsystem

Krystallsystem, also known as crystal system, is a classification of crystals based on their symmetry. There are seven principal crystal systems, each defined by the arrangement of atoms within the crystal lattice. These systems are cubic, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, triclinic, hexagonal, and trigonal. The cubic system is the most symmetrical, with all three crystallographic axes equal in length and at right angles to each other. The triclinic system is the least symmetrical, with all three axes unequal in length and not at right angles.

The properties of a crystal, such as its optical characteristics, hardness, and cleavage, are directly related to its crystal system. For example, cubic crystals are often isotropic, meaning they have the same properties in all directions, while crystals in other systems may be anisotropic. Understanding the crystal system is crucial in fields like mineralogy, crystallography, and materials science for identifying and characterizing crystalline substances.

The classification into these seven systems helps scientists to systematically study and catalog the vast number of known minerals and synthetic crystals. Each system can be further subdivided into classes based on the presence of specific symmetry elements like planes of symmetry, rotation axes, and inversion centers. This detailed classification allows for a precise description of a crystal's internal structure.