Ducks in space groups! Students grasping 3D arrangement of symmetry elements with hands-on models

Abstract

Symmetry considerations are vital in chemistry and even more so in crystallography [1][2]. Typically, students first come into contact with this during their studies in the context of stereochemistry or spectroscopy where usually the Schönflies notation is used. Learning and teaching about molecular symmetry naturally requires spatial imagination. To develop and refine this, models and model kits are of outmost importance and are readily available for a broad range of purposes [3].

Bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)methanides in main group organometallic syntheses and enquiry-based education

“…Furthermore, the developed models and the associated teaching approach were transported into the crystallographic community by a publication [223] and conference contribution. [224] Because the physical nature of the space group models restricts them to one unit cell or at least a very small number of unit cells, one crucial aspect of solid-state structure is not addressed at all: periodicity. While an ideal crystal by definition consists of infinitely many unit cells in any direction, a real crystal is still composed of a virtually infinite number of unit cells.…”