Crystal System
A crystal system is a classification of crystals based on their geometric shapes and symmetry. There are seven primary crystal systems: cubic, tetragonal, orthorhombic, hexagonal, rhombohedral, monoclinic, and triclinic. Each system is defined by the lengths and angles of its unit cell, which is the smallest repeating unit in a crystal lattice.
The arrangement of atoms within a crystal influences its physical properties, such as hardness, cleavage, and optical characteristics. Understanding crystal systems is essential in fields like mineralogy, chemistry, and materials science, as it helps scientists identify and categorize different minerals and materials.