Face-centered orthorhombic

Definition

Face-centered orthorhombic is a type of crystal lattice structure where the unit cell has atoms located at each corner and the center of each face of the cube. This arrangement leads to a highly efficient packing of atoms and contributes to various physical properties of materials. It's one of the fourteen distinct Bravais lattices that describe how points are arranged in three-dimensional space, highlighting symmetry and periodicity in crystallography.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The face-centered orthorhombic structure has atoms located at the corners and centers of each face, leading to a total of 8 atoms per unit cell.
2. This lattice type has distinct parameters for its three axes (a, b, c), which can be of different lengths, distinguishing it from cubic systems.
3. Materials with a face-centered orthorhombic structure often exhibit anisotropic properties due to their unique atomic arrangements.
4. Common examples of materials that crystallize in this form include certain metals and minerals, which can influence their mechanical properties.
5. In face-centered orthorhombic lattices, the coordination number is typically 6, meaning each atom contacts six others within the lattice.

Review Questions

• How does the atomic arrangement in a face-centered orthorhombic lattice affect the physical properties of materials?
  • The atomic arrangement in a face-centered orthorhombic lattice, with its unique positioning of atoms at corners and face centers, contributes to efficient packing. This arrangement influences various physical properties such as density and mechanical strength. The coordination number of 6 also plays a role in determining how these materials behave under stress, making them suitable for specific applications in engineering and materials science.
• Compare the face-centered orthorhombic lattice to other types of Bravais lattices in terms of symmetry and atomic arrangement.
  • The face-centered orthorhombic lattice differs from other Bravais lattices like cubic or simple orthorhombic in terms of symmetry and atomic arrangement. While both cubic and face-centered orthorhombic lattices have high symmetry, the latter's distinct axis lengths lead to lower symmetry overall. Additionally, while cubic lattices have equal edge lengths and symmetrical arrangements, the face-centered orthorhombic has varying edge lengths, affecting how atoms are packed and interact.
• Evaluate how the unique characteristics of the face-centered orthorhombic lattice could influence material selection for industrial applications.
  • The unique characteristics of the face-centered orthorhombic lattice, such as its efficient packing and specific anisotropic properties, play a critical role in material selection for industrial applications. For instance, materials that exhibit this structure may be preferred for high-strength applications due to their mechanical stability. Understanding these characteristics allows engineers to select appropriate materials for components requiring durability and resistance to deformation, influencing designs across various industries from aerospace to construction.

Related terms

Bravais Lattice: A Bravais lattice is an infinite array of discrete points generated by a set of discrete translation operations, which represents different ways atoms can be arranged in space.

Unit Cell: A unit cell is the smallest repeating unit in a crystal lattice that can be used to construct the entire lattice through translation.

Crystal Symmetry: Crystal symmetry refers to the symmetrical properties of a crystal, which includes the arrangement of atoms and how they reflect or rotate around various axes.