Difference between revisions of "Cleavage planes"
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(New page: '''Cleavage planes''' are common in crystalline minerals. They tend to follow weaker bonded lines through the crystal matrix, and lend a characteristic appearance to many minerals...) |
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[[Graphite]], interestingly another pure [[carbon]] crystal, is so weakly linked between its layers that it is used as a [[lubricant]], since the layers slide readily over one another. | [[Graphite]], interestingly another pure [[carbon]] crystal, is so weakly linked between its layers that it is used as a [[lubricant]], since the layers slide readily over one another. | ||
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Revision as of 02:57, April 30, 2007
Cleavage planes are common in crystalline minerals. They tend to follow weaker bonded lines through the crystal matrix, and lend a characteristic appearance to many minerals when they are fractured naturally or by a mineralogist.
The art of diamond cutting exploits the many possible cleavage planes in the diamond crystal in order to create a beautifully refractive gem from the raw material.
Graphite, interestingly another pure carbon crystal, is so weakly linked between its layers that it is used as a lubricant, since the layers slide readily over one another.