In this activity, students investigate crystal shapes and crystal systems. Traditional ceramics are clay-based – clays have a mineral composition and minerals have a crystalline structure.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
- describe the main points of difference between a crystalline solid and an amorphous solid
- recognise and identify at least 3 of the 7 crystal systems
- use models to point out the angular and side length differences that characterise the cubic, triclinic and rhombohedral crystal systems
- effectively use optical aids such as hand lenses and simple microscopes to view crystalline solids.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
- introduction/background notes
- instructions on what you need and what to do
- student worksheet.
