The smallest group of particles in a crystal that retains the shape of the crystal is called the ____.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks for the smallest group of particles in a crystal that retains the shape of the crystal, which is a fundamental concept in crystallography.
Option 1: 'cube' — This is a specific geometric shape and does not universally describe the smallest repeating unit of all crystals. While some crystals may be cubic, not all have cube-shaped repeating units, so this cannot be the general answer.
Option 2: 'unit cell' — This is the correct concept. A unit cell is the smallest repeating unit that, when translated through space, builds up the entire crystal lattice while preserving the overall shape. It contains the arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules that define the crystal structure.
Option 3: 'cage' — This term does not correspond to a recognized smallest repeating unit in crystallography. It may be used informally in some contexts, but it does not describe the fundamental building block of a crystal.
Option 4: 'crystal lattice' — The lattice describes the infinite periodic arrangement of points in space, essentially the entire network, rather than the smallest repeatable block. It is larger in scope than the unit cell and does not itself retain the crystal's shape when considered in isolation.
In summary, among the options provided, only 'unit cell' correctly identifies the smallest repeating unit that preserves the crystal's shape and structure when replicated. The other choices either refer to a specific geometry not universally applicable, an informal term, or the overall repeating framework rather than the minimal building block.

The smallest group of particles in a crystal that retains the shape of the crystal is called the ____.

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