Face-centered orthorhombic

Definition

The face-centered orthorhombic lattice is a type of Bravais lattice characterized by having lattice points at each of the corners and the centers of all three faces of the orthorhombic unit cell. This structure exhibits symmetry in three axes with different lengths, making it an important type in crystallography. Its arrangement allows for various crystal structures and can lead to unique physical properties, contributing to its significance in material science.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In a face-centered orthorhombic unit cell, there are a total of 4 atoms per unit cell: 1 atom from the corners (1/8 contribution from each of 8 corners) and 3 from the face centers (1/2 contribution from each of 6 faces).
2. The face-centered orthorhombic lattice can exhibit high symmetry, which may lead to interesting physical properties such as anisotropic behavior and varying electrical conductivity depending on crystallographic direction.
3. Common materials that crystallize in a face-centered orthorhombic structure include certain metal oxides and some complex inorganic compounds.
4. The angles between the axes in a face-centered orthorhombic lattice are all 90 degrees, maintaining right angles similar to cubic systems but with distinct edge lengths.
5. In the context of solid-state physics, understanding the face-centered orthorhombic lattice helps in predicting and explaining how materials will behave under different conditions such as stress, temperature changes, or chemical reactions.

Review Questions

• How does the face-centered orthorhombic structure differ from other types of Bravais lattices in terms of atomic arrangement?
  • The face-centered orthorhombic structure has atoms located at each corner and at the centers of each face, distinguishing it from simple cubic or body-centered cubic lattices. In comparison, simple cubic lattices only have corner atoms, while body-centered cubic lattices feature an additional atom at the center. This unique arrangement in face-centered orthorhombic contributes to its distinct symmetry and properties.
• Discuss the implications of having different edge lengths in the orthorhombic system on material properties.
  • The presence of different edge lengths in the orthorhombic system can lead to anisotropic behavior in materials, meaning that their physical properties, like thermal conductivity or strength, can vary significantly along different crystallographic directions. This property is crucial when designing materials for specific applications where directional strength or conductivity is required. The unique arrangement can also influence how materials interact with light and sound.
• Evaluate how understanding the face-centered orthorhombic lattice can inform advancements in material science and engineering.
  • Understanding the face-centered orthorhombic lattice allows researchers to tailor materials for specific applications based on their atomic arrangement and resulting properties. For example, by manipulating conditions during synthesis, scientists can potentially create new materials with desired electrical or mechanical characteristics. This knowledge aids in developing advanced materials for electronics, photonics, and other high-tech applications, ultimately driving innovation across multiple fields.

Related terms

Bravais Lattice: A Bravais lattice is an infinite array of discrete points generated by a set of discrete translation operations in three-dimensional space, which defines the periodic arrangement of atoms in a crystal.

Unit Cell: The unit cell is the smallest repeating unit in a crystal lattice that reflects the overall symmetry and structure of the crystal, serving as the building block for the entire crystalline solid.

Orthorhombic System: The orthorhombic system is one of the seven crystal systems characterized by three mutually perpendicular axes that are all of different lengths, allowing for a variety of crystal forms.