513.001 Molecular and Solid State Physics

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Wolfram Alpha

Physical
Constants

Periodic System
of Elements

      

Mirror planes

In the international notation for point groups, the letter m denotes a mirror plane of a crystal which corresponds to a symmetry element 2.

(a) Give the generating matrix of the point group m.

(b) Show that the orthorhombic point group mm2 consists of only two generating matrices (2 in x-direction and 2 in z-direction) and that the third symmetry element of the nomenclature (m in y-direction) is part of the group.

(c) Explain the point group 2/m and show that this point group has an inversion center.