Chapter 4: Problem 12

What are the elements of symmetry? What do you understand by diad and tetrad rotation axis?

Short Answer

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Symmetry elements are tools used to describe patterns in crystal structures and include points of inversion, axes of rotation and mirror planes. A diad axis is a type of symmetry element in which a molecule remains unchanged after a 180° rotation around an axis. Contrarily, a tetrad axis involves a 90° rotation for the molecule to retain its appearance.

Step by step solution

Understanding Symmetry Elements

Symmetry elements are fundamental aspects of physical and biological systems. They include the point of inversion, the axis of rotation and the mirror plane. Symmetry relates to the invariance of a system under certain operations. In other words, if an operation is performed on a system and it appears unchanged, then the system possesses symmetry with respect to that operation.

Explaining Diad Rotation Axis

A diad axis, also known as a twofold rotational axis or C2, is a type of rotational symmetry operation. A molecule has a diad axis if it looks the same after being rotated by 180° (or a half turn) about an axis. The rotation must be around an imaginary line, the diad axis, which passes through the molecule.

Describing Tetrad Rotation Axis

A tetrad axis, often referred to as a fourfold rotational axis or C4, is a type of rotational symmetry operation where the molecule looks the same after being rotated by 90° (or a quarter turn) about an axis. Just like in the diad axis, the rotation is around an imaginary line, the tetrad axis, that passes through the molecule.

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What are the elements of symmetry? What do you understand by diad and tetrad rotation axis?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Symmetry Elements

Explaining Diad Rotation Axis

Describing Tetrad Rotation Axis

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