Types Of Unit Cells

There are several types of unit cells and they are all of interest and of great use to scientists, biologists, physicists and chemists because these cells are unique when compared to other types of cells due to their composition and structure. Various types of unit cells can be found in the form of lattice structures. In fact this is what differentiates them from other types of cells- the fact they have such unique structures. The atoms arrange themselves in a manner due to which the lattice structure is formed in the first place.

One of the many types of unit cells is the simple cubic unit cell where, in the structure, every ion, atom and molecule is fixed in a particular pattern to form the structure together. These are typically found in the form of a crystal structure. You will find one of the many types of unit cells are made up of one particular atom in the sense that you will see the same atom at different points in the lattice structure. This is how the edges of the unit cell connect with one another and form such a structure. To qualify as a simple cubic unit cell 8 atoms of the same type need to be present at the corners of the lattice structure. This unique composition is what makes the structure so interesting.

Another of the various types of unit cells is known as the body-centered unit cell. Where these types of unit cells are concerned there are 8 identical particles at each corner of the cube and there is a 9th particle in the middle of the structure too which is different. These can be found in places and rooms with room temperature and the atoms are literally touching one another and are in contact where these types of unit cells are concerned too.

The next of the many types of unit cells is the face-centered cubic unit cell. Similar to the previous two types of unit cells the 8 corners of the lattice structure consists of the same types of atoms. The difference is that the same particles can be found in the center of the structure as well and so it is as if though the structure is repeating itself. As you will see, this is unlike the previous types of unit cells, in the regard that more of the same particles are present. The simpler the various types of unit cells, the easier it is to cause them to break down by boiling them because of the fact that lesser particles that hold them together. This is what makes it easier to break down a lattice structure as opposed to compound ones.

Where the other two types of unit cells are concerned, they are much more complex and difficult to breakdown because more particles are present and they hold the structure together in a solid manner as opposed to the simple cubic unit cell. They also have higher boiling points because of which it is difficult to disintegrate them. These are the three types of unit cells that are currently known of and studied.