elementary cell
[/ˌɛlɪˈmɛntəri sɛl/]
nounpl: elementary cells
célula elementar
1. The smallest repeating unit of a crystal structure that contains all the symmetry information needed to generate the entire crystal by translation
The elementary cell of a cubic crystal structure contains one atom at each corner.
A célula elementar de uma estrutura cristalina cúbica contém um átomo em cada vértice.
2. In crystallography, the fundamental building block defined by lattice parameters (a, b, c) and angles (α, β, γ)
The dimensions of the elementary cell determine the physical properties of the crystal.
As dimensões da célula elementar determinam as propriedades físicas do cristal.
3. Also known as a unit cell, it represents the minimum volume needed to represent the entire crystal structure
Scientists calculated the volume of the elementary cell to understand the material's density.
Cientistas calcularam o volume da célula elementar para compreender a densidade do material.
This is a specialized scientific term primarily used in crystallography, materials science, and solid-state physics. It is universally understood in academic and industrial settings in both Brazil and Portugal. The term 'unit cell' is often preferred in English-language scientific publications, though 'elementary cell' remains a valid and historically significant term. In Brazil, both 'célula elementar' and 'célula unitária' are accepted in academic contexts.
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