2.1 Unit Cells

A unit cell is the most basic, repeatable pattern in a solid. There are many types of unit cells. Here we explore three types of cubic unit cells. These unit cells adopt the shape of a cube.

Simple cubic

A simple cubic (or primitive cubic) contains atoms located on the corners of a cube.

Body-centered cubic

A body-centered cubic contains atoms located on the corners of a cube as well as an atom located inside the cube at the center.

Face-centered cubic

A face-centered cubic contains atoms located on the corners of a cube as well as on the faces of the cube.