Name the parameters that characterise a unit cell.
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Solution
Unit cell
Unit cell is a portion of crystal lattice which on repetition leads to crystal structure. It has all the characteristics of crystal lattice. The unit cell is characterized by three distances along the three edges of the lattice and the angles between them.
Parameters that characterise a unit cell
The parameters that characterize a unit cell are
Axial distances or edge lengths along the three edges a,bandc. These edges may or may not be equal and mutually perpendicular.
Axial angles between the edges, α (between bandc),β (between aandc), γ (between aandb).
Thus, a unit cell is characterised by six parameters i.e., a,b,c,α,βandγ.
Final answer: Edge lengths of unit cell (a,b,c) and angles between edges (α,β,γ).