What distinguishes a crystal lattice from a unit cell?

[asdf1]

what's the difference between those two?

 

[assyrian_77]

A lattice is a (idealized) structure of crystals where each lattice point represent an identical group of atoms. A group is sometimes called a basis. One can form basis vectors with which all lattice point positions can be expressed. The unit cell (I guess you mean the primitive cell) is the volume defined by the set of basis vectors. This is the smallest volume; there are no cells with smaller volumes.

Hopefully this was of help. If not, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Gokul43201]

what's the difference between those two?

What does your textbook or class notes say ?

 

[asdf1]

my textbook says:
unit cell: crystal structure that's the smallest group of atoms possessing
the symmetry of the crystal
lattice: orderly array of points in space

so does that mean that the unit cell is part of the lattice?

 

[Gokul43201]

so does that mean that the unit cell is part of the lattice?

Yes, it is the smallest "representative" part.

 

[asdf1]

ok, thanks!