How Do You Spell PYRITOHEDRAL?

1. Pyritohedral is an adjective used to describe a type of crystal habit or symmetry exhibited by minerals. The term is derived from the Greek words "pyrites," meaning "fire" or "flint," and "hedron," meaning "face" or "side." Therefore, pyritohedral refers to a crystal shape or symmetry resembling that of pyrite.

   Pyrite is a common mineral known for its metallic luster and brassy yellow color. It crystallizes in a cubic system, with each cube face made up of numerous smaller faces. When a mineral exhibits the pyritohedral crystal habit, it means that its crystal form closely resembles that of pyrite, possessing multiple faces that are similar in shape and size.

   The pyritohedral symmetry is characterized by a symmetrical arrangement of faces, resulting in an overall shape that resembles a polyhedron. The faces or facets are usually flat or slightly curved, creating an intricate geometric pattern. Minerals with pyritohedral symmetry often have six-fold or eight-fold rotational symmetry, as each face of the crystal can be rotated around its center by a fixed angle to form a complete pattern.

   Pyritohedral symmetry is not limited to pyrite; other minerals can also exhibit this crystal habit. It is a visually striking characteristic, making such minerals attractive to collectors and researchers. The pyritohedral crystal form often enhances the beauty of minerals and provides insights into their atomic and crystalline structures.

Common Misspellings for PYRITOHEDRAL

The word "pyritohedral" is derived from the combination of two terms: "pyrit" and "hedron".

1. Pyrit: The term "pyrit" is derived from the Greek word "pyr" meaning "fire" due to its ability to produce sparks when struck against a hard surface. "Pyrit" refers to the mineral pyrite, which is a common iron sulfide mineral with a metallic luster.

2. Hedron: The term "hedron" comes from the Greek word "hedra", which means "seat" or "base". In a mathematical context, it refers to a solid figure with multiple faces.

Combining these two terms, "pyritohedral" refers to a geometric form or crystal shape resembling the mineral pyrite, which has multiple faces resembling a seat or base.