HEMIHEDRISM Meaning and
Definition
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Hemihedrism is a term used in crystallography to describe a specific type of crystal symmetry. It refers to the condition where only one half of a crystal face is present, resulting in an asymmetrical appearance. In other words, hemihedrism is the phenomenon when a crystal exhibits faces that are essentially mirror images of each other.
Crystal symmetry is based on the arrangement of atoms within a crystal lattice. In ideal cases, crystals possess symmetry elements that divide them into identical parts, such as mirror planes, rotation axes, or inversion centers. However, in hemihedrism, the crystal lacks certain symmetry elements, specifically mirror planes. As a consequence, the crystal faces on one side of an imaginary plane are non-identical to those on the other side.
Hemihedrism is a relatively rare crystallographic feature, occurring in various minerals and crystal structures. It has been classified into two types: holohedrism and hemiholohedrism. Holohedrism describes crystals with all faces hemihedral. On the other hand, hemiholohedrism refers to crystals in which a combination of hemihedral and holohedral faces are present.
The study of hemihedrism plays a vital role in crystallography, aiding scientists in understanding the symmetry and properties of minerals and crystals. It is also significant in the field of material science, where crystal structures and their characteristics are investigated for various applications ranging from electronics to pharmaceuticals.
Common Misspellings for HEMIHEDRISM
- gemihedrism
- bemihedrism
- nemihedrism
- jemihedrism
- uemihedrism
- yemihedrism
- hwmihedrism
- hsmihedrism
- hdmihedrism
- hrmihedrism
- h4mihedrism
- h3mihedrism
- henihedrism
- hekihedrism
- hejihedrism
- hemuhedrism
- hemjhedrism
- hemkhedrism
- hemohedrism
Etymology of HEMIHEDRISM
The word "hemihedrism" is derived from the combination of two terms: "hemi" and "hedral".
The prefix "hemi" comes from the Greek word "hēmi-", meaning "half" or "partial". It is often used in scientific and mathematical contexts to refer to something that is halfway or partial.
The term "hedral" is derived from the Greek word "hedra", meaning "face" or "side". In crystallography, it refers to a crystal form or face.
Therefore, combining "hemi" and "hedral" in "hemihedrism" indicates a phenomenon where a crystal exhibits only half of the possible crystal faces or lacks symmetry on one of the crystallographic axes.
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