What Do You Know About Crystal? Crystal Quiz!

Crystallisation is the process of crystal formation through crystal growth. It involves the transformation of a substance from a liquid or gas phase into a solid phase, resulting in the formation of a crystal structure. This process occurs when the solute particles in a solution come together and arrange themselves in a regular, repeating pattern to form a crystal lattice. Crystallisation is commonly used in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and materials science, to purify substances or produce high-quality crystals for research and applications.

Clay is not a crystal because it does not have a regular and repeating atomic structure. Unlike diamonds, snowflakes, and table salt, clay is composed of tiny particles that are randomly arranged, resulting in an amorphous structure. Crystals, on the other hand, have a highly ordered arrangement of atoms or molecules, which gives them their characteristic symmetry and geometric shapes.

Cancer is not a crystallographic defect because it is a disease that affects the cells of the body, specifically the uncontrolled growth and division of abnormal cells. Crystallographic defects, on the other hand, refer to imperfections or irregularities in the arrangement of atoms in a crystal lattice structure. Vacancy defects occur when atoms are missing from their regular lattice positions, interstitial defects occur when atoms occupy positions between regular lattice sites, and dislocations refer to line defects where the arrangement of atoms is disrupted along a line.

The ancient Greek word for crystals is "Krustallos."

Crystallography is the study of crystals, their structure, and their properties. It involves the use of X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and other techniques to determine the arrangement of atoms within a crystal lattice. This field of study is important in various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, materials science, and geology, as it helps in understanding the physical and chemical properties of crystals and their applications in different industries.

The flat faces of crystals are called facets. Facets are the smooth, polished surfaces that reflect light and give crystals their unique shape and appearance. These facets are formed during the crystal's growth process, where the atoms arrange themselves in a repeating pattern. Each facet is a distinct plane of the crystal structure, and together they create the overall shape of the crystal.

The shape of a diamond is octahedral. An octahedron is a three-dimensional shape with eight triangular faces. This shape is commonly used to describe the structure of a diamond, as it has eight symmetrical faces that meet at a point. The octahedral shape allows for the maximum amount of light to be reflected and refracted within the diamond, giving it its unique brilliance and sparkle.

Salt is not an amorphous solid because it has a regular and repeating crystalline structure. In contrast, amorphous solids, such as glass, wax, and plastics, do not have a definite shape or pattern at the atomic level. They are more like supercooled liquids or solids that have been cooled rapidly, resulting in a disordered arrangement of particles.

X-ray diffraction is a crystallography technique used to analyze the arrangement of atoms in a crystal structure. It involves directing a beam of X-rays onto a crystal and analyzing the resulting diffraction pattern. By measuring the angles and intensities of the diffracted X-rays, scientists can determine the spacing and orientation of the crystal lattice, providing valuable information about the atomic arrangement and properties of the material. X-ray reflection and X-ray refraction are not crystallography techniques, while ultraviolet reflection is not related to crystallography.

Sand is not a polycrystal because it is composed of individual grains of minerals, rather than a collection of multiple crystals. Polycrystals are materials made up of multiple small crystals or grains that are randomly oriented and bound together. In the case of sand, each grain is a single crystal, making it a monocrystalline material.