Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Symmetry Elements in a Crystal01:27

Symmetry Elements in a Crystal

Crystal symmetry operations are isometric transformations that map objects onto indistinguishable copies while preserving distances, angles, and volumes. The simplest symmetry operation is translation, which shifts the entire infinite crystal lattice parallelly by a translation vector.Crystallographic rotations involve rotations by an angle of 2π/n around an axis without changing the positions of points on the axis. It is called the rotational axis of the symmetry, denoted by n. The combination...
Determination of Crystal Structures01:29

Determination of Crystal Structures

In the late 1800s, the revelation that light extended beyond visible wavelengths led to the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen. Recognized as high-energy electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths, X-rays prompted exploration into their interaction with crystals. Max von Laue proposed in 1912 that the periodic arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in crystals would cause them to diffract X-rays, a hypothesis confirmed through experiments with copper sulfate and zinc sulfide...
Crystallographic Point Groups01:29

Crystallographic Point Groups

Crystallographic point groups represent the various symmetry operations that can occur within crystals. They are unique in that at least one point will always remain unchanged during these actions. For instance, consider the triclinic system. This system, devoid of any axis or plane of symmetry, aligns with the C1 and Ci point groups.where Cᵢ is characterized solely by a center of inversion.Contrastingly, the monoclinic system introduces an element of symmetry. This system with one plane and...
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes02:46

Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes

Tetrahedral Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes02:58

Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes

Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
X-ray Crystallography02:18

X-ray Crystallography

The size of the unit cell and the arrangement of atoms in a crystal may be determined from measurements of the diffraction of X-rays by the crystal, termed X-ray crystallography.
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Synthesis and crystal structure of sodium (ethane-1,2-di-yl)bis-[(3-meth-oxy-prop-yl)phosphinodi-thiol-ate] octa-hydrate.

Acta crystallographica. Section E, Crystallographic communications·2024
Same author

Free tools for crystallographic symmetry handling and visualization.

Journal of applied crystallography·2024
Same author

Bis(2,4-dioxo-pentan-3-ido-κ<sup>2</sup> <i>O</i>,<i>O</i>')dioxidomolyb-denum(VI): a redetermination.

IUCrData·2022
Same author

Crystal structures and hydrogen-bonding analysis of a series of benzamide complexes of zinc(II) chloride.

Acta crystallographica. Section E, Crystallographic communications·2021
Same author

Algorithmic Analysis of Cahn-Ingold-Prelog Rules of Stereochemistry: Proposals for Revised Rules and a Guide for Machine Implementation.

Journal of chemical information and modeling·2018
Same journal

Homopolyatomic bismuth cluster compound Bi<sub>8</sub>[AlBr<sub>4</sub>]<sub>2</sub>: synthesis, structural characterization, and electronic structure.

Acta crystallographica. Section C, Structural chemistry·2026
Same journal

Tying up lots of loose ends: dealing with unpublished crystal structures.

Acta crystallographica. Section C, Structural chemistry·2026
Same journal

Can halogen atoms in coumarin derivatives affect the structure and antiproliferative activity of nickel(II) complexes?

Acta crystallographica. Section C, Structural chemistry·2026
Same journal

Semi-automated MicroED system unveils multiple polymorphs in fish-derived guanine crystals.

Acta crystallographica. Section C, Structural chemistry·2026
Same journal

Halogen and hydrogen bonding of 3,6-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine and 3,6-bis(pyridin-4-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine.

Acta crystallographica. Section C, Structural chemistry·2026
Same journal

From central chirality to helical chirality: two chiral coordination polymers based on a lactic acid derivative and their SHG responses.

Acta crystallographica. Section C, Structural chemistry·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Three-Dimensional Mapping of the Rotation of Interactive Virtual Objects with Eye-Tracking Data
06:36

Three-Dimensional Mapping of the Rotation of Interactive Virtual Objects with Eye-Tracking Data

Published on: October 18, 2024

Visualizing and teaching crystallographic symmetry using Jmol.

Dean H Johnston1, Robert M Hanson2

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Otterbein University, Westerville, OH, USA.

Acta Crystallographica. Section C, Structural Chemistry
|May 18, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The Jmol Space Group Symmetry Visualizer offers interactive tools to explore symmetry groups, including space, plane, and subperiodic groups. It visualizes group-subgroup relationships using diverse molecular and ionic structures for enhanced understanding.

Keywords:
JmolSpace Group Symmetry Visualizercrystallographic symmetryvisualization

More Related Videos

Modeling an Enzyme Active Site using Molecular Visualization Freeware
14:37

Modeling an Enzyme Active Site using Molecular Visualization Freeware

Published on: December 25, 2021

On-Chip Crystallization and Large-Scale Serial Diffraction at Room Temperature
07:42

On-Chip Crystallization and Large-Scale Serial Diffraction at Room Temperature

Published on: March 11, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Three-Dimensional Mapping of the Rotation of Interactive Virtual Objects with Eye-Tracking Data
06:36

Three-Dimensional Mapping of the Rotation of Interactive Virtual Objects with Eye-Tracking Data

Published on: October 18, 2024

Modeling an Enzyme Active Site using Molecular Visualization Freeware
14:37

Modeling an Enzyme Active Site using Molecular Visualization Freeware

Published on: December 25, 2021

On-Chip Crystallization and Large-Scale Serial Diffraction at Room Temperature
07:42

On-Chip Crystallization and Large-Scale Serial Diffraction at Room Temperature

Published on: March 11, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Crystallography
  • Computational Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Symmetry groups are fundamental to understanding crystal structures and molecular arrangements.
  • Visualizing these complex groups and their relationships can be challenging with traditional methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present an interactive web-based tool for visualizing symmetry groups.
  • To illustrate space groups, plane groups, and subperiodic groups (frieze, rod, layer).
  • To demonstrate group-subgroup relationships using real-world examples.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a modular website utilizing Jmol for 3D visualization.
  • Integration of interactive pages for exploring different symmetry types.
  • Selection of diverse molecular and ionic structures to represent group-subgroup relationships.

Main Results:

  • A functional and accessible online visualizer for symmetry groups.
  • Clear graphical representations of space groups, plane groups, and subperiodic groups.
  • Effective demonstration of hierarchical relationships between symmetry groups.

Conclusions:

  • The Jmol Space Group Symmetry Visualizer provides a valuable educational resource.
  • Interactive visualization enhances the understanding of crystallographic and molecular symmetry.
  • The tool supports the study of group theory in chemistry and materials science.