Hemimorphism

/ˌhɛmɪˈmɔːrfɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The property or condition of being hemimorphic; the structural characteristic of crystals having different forms at opposite ends.

Etymology

From 'hemimorphic' with the suffix '-ism' (denoting a property or condition). This geological term allows discussion of the phenomenon as a distinct mineral property.

Kelly Says

Hemimorphism was crucial to understanding how electricity and crystals are connected—when scientists realized that asymmetrical crystals generated electrical charges, it opened the door to modern electronics and piezoelectric technology.

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