What is the Difference Between Lattice and Unit Cell?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a lattice and a unit cell lies in their definition and structure:
- Lattice: A lattice is a regular three-dimensional arrangement of identical points in space that represents how the atoms, ions, and molecules of a crystal are structured. It is a regular structure made up of many small units known as unit cells.
- Unit Cell: A unit cell is the smallest component of a crystal lattice, which when repeated in different orientations creates the entire crystal lattice. It is the simplest repeating unit in a crystal structure. The entire lattice is generated by the repetition of the unit cell in different directions.
There are six parameters of a unit cell: the three edges (a, b, c) and the angles between the edges (α, β, γ). The edges of a unit cell may or may not be perpendicular to each other. Unit cells can be classified into different types, such as primitive unit cells, face-centered unit cells, and end-centered unit cells.
In summary, a lattice is a regular three-dimensional arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in a crystal, while a unit cell is the smallest part of the lattice that repeats to form the entire structure.
Comparative Table: Lattice vs Unit Cell
The main difference between a lattice and a unit cell is that a lattice is a regular repeated three-dimensional arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in a crystalline solid, whereas a unit cell is the smallest representative unit of a lattice, comprising all the components that resemble the repeating pattern of a lattice. Here is a table comparing the two:
Lattice | Unit Cell |
---|---|
Regular repeated three-dimensional arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in a crystalline solid | Smallest representative unit of a lattice, comprising all the components that resemble the repeating pattern of a lattice |
Made up of large numbers of unit cells | Fundamental unit of crystal lattice having all the properties of the crystal |
Can be isolated or prepared for analysis | Cannot be isolated for analysis, as it is a hypothetical entity |
Macroscopic system | Microscopic system |
Generated by the repetition of the unit cell in different directions | Entire lattice is generated by the repetition of the unit cell in different directions |
A unit cell can be defined as the smallest three-dimensional repetitive part of the space lattice, which when repeated in different directions generates the entire lattice. There are different types of unit cells, such as primitive unit cells, face-centered unit cells, and end-centered unit cells. The edges of a unit cell may or may not be perpendicular to each other, and the dimensions of the unit cell are given by six parameters: the three edges (a, b, c) and the angles between the edges (α, β, γ).
- Lattice vs Crystal
- Molecule vs Lattice
- Unit Cell vs Primitive Cell
- Hexagon vs Monoclinic Unit Cell
- Solvation Energy vs Lattice Energy
- Bond Enthalpy vs Lattice Enthalpy
- Lattice Site vs Interstitial Site
- Lattice Energy vs Hydration Energy
- Cell vs Atom
- Lamellae vs Lacunae
- Atomic Structure vs Crystal Structure
- Primitive Hexagonal Unit Cell vs Hexagonal Closed Packing
- Amorphous vs Crystalline Solid
- Crystalline vs Polycrystalline
- Crystal Field Theory vs Ligand Field Theory
- Crystalline vs Noncrystalline Solids
- Crystals vs Quasicrystals
- X-ray Crystallography vs X-ray Diffraction
- Formula Unit Mass vs Molecular Mass