Unit Cells and Crystal Structures
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Abstract
In this module students create a saturated solution using borax, sodium acetate, and copper sulfate. Upon drying, each crystal will have a different shape. The shape at the macro level is driven by the arrangement of atoms. This repeating arrangement of atoms is the defining characteristic of a crystal structure, and is based on the geometry of the fundamental unit cell. Students may introduce other chemicals to change the resulting structure. This module serves as a good introduction to crystal structures supplementing the typical ball and stick models.
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Disponible en Español: Celdas Unitarias y Estructuras de Cristal.
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National Science Foundation
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