Crystal lattice

Definition

A repeating, three dimensional arrangement of oppositely charged ions that distributes electrostatic charge across many atoms at once.

In sodium chloride the lattice maximizes attraction between oppositely charged ions and minimizes repulsion between like charges, lowering the overall energy. Calcium carbonate forms a dense, interlocking lattice where covalent bonds lock the carbonate shape and ionic attraction binds it to calcium. Such lattices are energetically stable and very difficult to pull apart, which is why scale is hard to remove.

Related concepts

Crystal Growth · Lattice Energy · Ionic bond

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧱 materials