CUBIC CRYSTAL SYSTEM Meaning and
Definition
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The cubic crystal system is one of the seven crystal systems in which minerals and other crystalline substances can be classified. It is characterized by a three-dimensional arrangement of atoms or ions that exhibit a perfect symmetry, resulting in crystals with equal and symmetrical dimensions in all three directions.
In this crystal system, the crystal lattice is constructed by repeating identical cubic unit cells, which are polyhedrons with six identical square faces. The unit cells stack together to form the overall crystal structure. The cubic crystal system is further divided into three types based on the angles between the crystallographic axes: face-centered cubic (FCC), body-centered cubic (BCC), and simple cubic (SC).
In the face-centered cubic arrangement, the atoms or ions are located on the corners and at the center of each face of the unit cell. This arrangement results in closely packed spheres, with each atom or ion in contact with twelve others. The body-centered cubic arrangement has an atom or ion positioned at the center of the unit cell and on each of the corners. The simple cubic arrangement only has atoms or ions located at each corner of the unit cell.
The cubic crystal system is renowned for its isotropic properties, meaning that its physical properties are the same in all three directions. It is commonly found in minerals such as sodium chloride (table salt), diamond, and copper. Understanding the cubic crystal system and its variations is essential in the study of crystallography and the identification of minerals in geology.
