Practical Electron Microscopy and Database

An Online Book, Second Edition by Dr. Yougui Liao (2006)

Practical Electron Microscopy and Database - An Online Book

Chapter/Index: Introduction | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Appendix

Anisotropy of Physical and Chemical Properties of Crystals

In crystals, anisotropy of many properties clearly arises because the arrangement of their atoms varies in different directions. In general, cubic crystals is less anisotropic than monoclinic ones because of their greater symmetry, for instance, with respect to electrical conductivity. Therefore, cubic crystals do not exhibit electrical polarization when the temperature is changed, so that their pyroelectric effect is isotropic.