schalenelement

Schalenelement is a term used in the field of crystallography to describe a crystal system where the unit cell is characterized by three unequal axes and three unequal angles. This system is one of the seven crystal systems recognized in crystallography. The term "schalenelement" is derived from the Greek words "schalenos," meaning "unequal," and "element," referring to the basic structural unit of a crystal.

In a schalenelement crystal system, the unit cell does not exhibit any symmetry elements such as rotation axes, mirror planes, or inversion centers. This lack of symmetry results in a unit cell that is uniquely defined by its three unequal axes and three unequal angles. The angles between the axes can vary between 0 and 180 degrees, but they must all be different from each other.

Schalenelement crystals are relatively rare in nature and are often found in minerals that do not exhibit high degrees of symmetry. Examples of minerals that crystallize in the schalenelement system include some forms of quartz and certain types of feldspar. The study of schalenelement crystals is important in understanding the fundamental properties of crystals and their behavior under various physical and chemical conditions.