monokliinisissä

Monokliinisissä refers to a crystal system characterized by three unequal axes that are not mutually perpendicular. In this system, one of the axes is perpendicular to the plane containing the other two, which are inclined to each other. This creates a single plane of symmetry, hence the name "monoclinic" derived from Greek words meaning "one inclination."

The unit cell of a monoclinic crystal can be defined by its lattice parameters: lengths a, b, and c, and angles alpha, beta, and gamma. In the monoclinic system, a ≠ b ≠ c, and alpha = gamma = 90° ≠ beta. This specific arrangement of axes and angles leads to a distinctive symmetry.

Common examples of minerals crystallizing in the monoclinic system include gypsum, orthoclase feldspar, and augite. These minerals exhibit a wide range of physical properties depending on their chemical composition and internal atomic structure, but their external morphology often reflects the underlying monoclinic symmetry. Understanding the monoclinic crystal system is fundamental in mineralogy, crystallography, and materials science for identifying substances, predicting their properties, and designing new materials with specific characteristics. The arrangement of atoms within the unit cell dictates the macroscopic properties observed.