Symmetry Operation: 2-Fold Rotation Axis

Symmetry operation
A symmetry operation one that can be done physically or imaginatively and results in no change
in the appearance of an object.
Symmetry operations are classified into three types: rotation, reflection, and inversion. We'll take
a closer look at each of these in turn.
Rotational Symmetry: An object is said to have an axis of 4-fold rotational symmetry if it can
be rotated about an axis and repeats itself every 90o of rotation. The axis along which the
rotation is performed is a symmetry element known as a rotation axis. In crystals, the rotational
symmetry axes listed below are possible.
1-Fold Rotation Axis: An object with no rotational symmetry requires a full 360o rotation to
restore it to its original appearance. It is said to have a 1-fold axis of rotational symmetry because
it repeats itself once every 360o.
2-fold Rotation Axis: If an object appears identical after a

180o rotation, or twice in a 360o rotation, it has a 2-fold rotation axis (360/180 = 2).
3-Fold Rotation Axis: Objects that repeat themselves after a 120o rotation are said to have a 3-
fold axis of rotational symmetry (360/120 =3), and they will repeat three times after a 360o
rotation. The location of the 3-fold rotation axis is represented by a filled triangle.
6-Fold Rotation Axis: If a rotation of 60o about with an axis generates an object to repeat itself, it has
a 6-fold rotational axis (360/60=6). A 6-fold rotation axis is represented by a filled hexagon.
4-Fold Rotation Axis: If an object repeats it after 90o of rotation, this would repeat itself four times
in a 360o rotation, as previously illustrated. The location of the 4-fold axis of rotational symmetry is
represented by a filled square.
Combinations of Symmetry Operations
There are 32 possible symmetry element combinations. The 32 Crystal Classes are defined by
these 32 combinations. Every crystal must be classified into one of the 32 crystal classes.
In this example, we'll begin with the crystal shown here. It's important to note that this crystal
has rectangular sides with square top and bottom. The square-shaped top indicates that a 4-fold
rotation axis perpendicular to the square-shaped face must exist. This is represented in the
diagram.
Also, the rectangular shaped face on the left side of the crystal must be intersected by a 2-fold
rotation axis. The two fold axis runs through the crystal and exits on the left side (not visible in
this view), so that the crystal's left and right sides are perpendicular to a 2-fold rotation axis.
Because the crystal's top face has a 4-fold rotation axis, the operation of this 4-fold rotation must
recreate the face with the perpendicular 2-fold axis on a 90o rotation. As a result, the front and
back faces of the crystal will have perpendicular 2-fold rotation axes, as required by the 4-fold
axis.
The square-shaped top of the crystal also implies the presence of a 2-fold axis cutting diagonally
through the crystal. The left-hand diagram depicts this 2-fold axis. However, in order for the 4-
fold axis to function, the other diagonals must also have a 2-fold axis, as shown in the right-hand
diagram.
Furthermore, the crystal's square-shaped top and rectangular-shaped front suggest the presence of a
plane of symmetry, as shown by the left-hand diagram here. However, as shown in the diagram on
the right, the operation of the 4-fold axis requires the presence of a mirror plane that cuts through the
side faces.
The square top implies that there must be a mirror plane running diagonally through the crystal.
This mirror plane will be reflected by the other mirror planes cutting the sides of the crystal or
replicated by the 4-fold rotation axis, resulting in the crystal having another mirror plane cutting
through the other diagonal, as shown in the diagram on the right.
Finally, another mirror plane cuts through the crystal's centre, parallel to the above and below
faces.
As a result, the mentioned symmetry elements are present in this crystal:
• 1 - 4-fold rotation axis (A4)
• 4 - 2-fold rotation axes (A2), 2 for cutting faces and 2 for cutting edges
• 5 mirror planes (m), two across the faces, two through the edges, and one horizontally through
the Centre. It's also important to keep in mind that there's a symmetry Centre (i)This crystal has
the following symmetry content: I 1A4, 4A2, 5m.

Symmetry Operation: 2-Fold Rotation Axis

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Symmetry Operation: 2-Fold Rotation Axis

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Symmetry operation

2-fold Rotation Axis: If an object appears identical after a

Combinations of Symmetry Operations

As a result, the mentioned symmetry elements are present in this crystal:

• 1 - 4-fold rotation axis (A4)

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