Another name for the cubic crystal system is...

Another name for the cubic crystal system is...

• A. Tetragonal
• B. Isometric
• C. Hexagonal
• D. Monoclinic

Answer: (B)

Crystal systems are named by the geometry of their unit cells. The cubic system is defined by three equal edges and right angles, giving very high symmetry. That symmetry is captured by the term isometric, because iso means equal. So the cubic crystal system is also called the isometric system. The other options describe different axial relationships: tetragonal has two equal axes and a different third; hexagonal has a distinct set of angles and a different arrangement of axes; monoclinic has all three axes of different lengths with non-right angles.

Crystal systems are named by the geometry of their unit cells. The cubic system is defined by three equal edges and right angles, giving very high symmetry. That symmetry is captured by the term isometric, because iso means equal. So the cubic crystal system is also called the isometric system. The other options describe different axial relationships: tetragonal has two equal axes and a different third; hexagonal has a distinct set of angles and a different arrangement of axes; monoclinic has all three axes of different lengths with non-right angles.