Glossary

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lattice: The points in space that define the ordered, repeating arrangement of atomsThe smallest particle of an element that can be involved in chemical combination with another element; an atom consists of protons and neutrons in a tiny, very dense nucleus, surrounded by electrons, which occupy most of its volume., ions, or molecules in a crystalA solid with a regular polyhedral shape; for example, in sodium chloride (table salt) the crystal faces are all at 90° angles. A solid in which the atoms, molecules, or ions are arranged in a regular, repeating lattice structure..

Term of the Day

An estimate of the size of an ionAn atom or covalently bonded set of atoms that carries an overall net charge. in an ionic compoundA compound containing oppositely charged ions held together by electrostatic attraction. Usually the ions are in a crystal lattice with positive ions surrounded by negative ions and negative ions surrounded by positive ions.; found from the internuclear distanceThe distance between the nuclei of nearest-neighbor atoms or ions in an element or compound. Bond distances and ionic radii are calculated from this quantity because atoms have no discrete edges. between ions in a crystal latticeAn orderly, repeating arrangement of points in 3-D space in which each p;oint has surroundings identical to every other point. A crystal's constituent atoms, molecules, and ions are arranged about each lattice point..