Space Group Symmetry

Joseph Smyth

University of Colorado at Boulder

This activity is part of the On the Cutting Edge Peer Reviewed Teaching Activities collection. (view details)

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Scientific Accuracy
Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
Pedagogic Effectiveness
Robustness (usability and dependability of all components)
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Initial Publication Date: July 8, 2009 | Reviewed: December 29, 2014 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

This assignment tasks students with determining symmetry axes and identifying Hermann-Mauguin symbols for space groups based on a symmetry diagram.

Crystallography, Geology | College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

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Context

Audience

This problem set is designed for an undergraduate course in mineralogy for majors.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Students should have a basic understanding of crystal symmetry and Hermann-Mauguin nomenclature.

How the activity is situated in the course

This is a stand-alone exercise used as a homework assignment.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

This activity aids in student understanding and interpretation of crystal symmetry diagrams.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Other skills goals for this activity

Description of the activity/assignment

In this problem set, students are given space group symmetry diagrams for primitive (P) orthorhombic space groups. For each diagram they must write down the symmetry axis (either 2 or 21) that is parallel to each major axis, and give the symmetry plane (a, b, c, n, or m) that is normal (perpendicular)to each. They must also give the simplified Hermann-Mauguin symbol for the space group.

Determining whether students have met the goals

Students have successfully met the goals of the assignment if they answer the problem set thoroughly and accurately.

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Teaching materials and tips

Activity Description/Assignment (Acrobat (PDF) 34kB Jul7 09)

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Solution Set (Acrobat (PDF) 31kB Jul7 09)

Other Materials

Supporting references/URLs

This problem set is the 3^rd of 10 homework assignments used in a Mineralogy course.
You can also access the course syllabus ( This site may be offline. ) which includes lecture Powerpoints, practice exams, and links to the other problem sets used in this course.

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