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crystal - a three dimensional atomic, ionic, or molecular structure consisting of periodically repeated, identically constituted, congruent unit cell. The study of crystals is called crystallography. Crystallization occurs from fusion, from solution, and from vapor. Fusion can happen when magma comes to the surface as lava, and as the lava cools many elements are attracted to each other to form a crystal. Crystals can form from solutions in nature. If you had water solution of sodium chloride, and let it slowly evaporate the salt would eventually be saturated and the salt would precipitate. At this time positive sodium ions attract to negative chloride ions to form a crystal. Crystals can also from vapor. As the vapor cools electrical attraction combines the atoms to be a crystalline solid. Crystal © 1997 Jacob Eapen. |