MT201 2025 Even Semester Tutorial 1
Course Instructor: Dr. Sumanth Nani Enugala
Question 1: Identify the maximal lattice and a motif to go with it in each of the following
2D patterns (of course assuming that they extend all the way up to infinity in all directions
maintaining the pattern).
1
2
Point Plot (Updated)
This igure shows points of the form (n√|n|, m) for integers n and m.
Question 2: Assuming the pattern given below extends all the way up to infinity, mark
all the points that are equivalent to point A. Are points B and C equivalent? Give your
reasoning. Do the points in this pattern form a lattice? Is the pattern itself periodic? If so
what is a lattice and an associated motif? Can there be multiple motifs possible here?
B C
Question 3: Draw a 2D lattice and mark three distinct sets of primitive vectors that can
generate it.
Question 4: We know that every isometry in 2D is essentially either a rotation or a reflec-
tion due to Chasles’ theorem. Does that mean all roto-reflections are also either rotations
3
or reflections? Explicitly demonstrate what reflection or rotation each of the following com-
pound operations merge into:
(i) 1-fold roto X-axis reflection.
(ii) 2-fold roto X-axis reflection.
(iii) 3-fold roto X-axis reflection.
(iv) 4-fold roto X-axis reflection.
(v) 6-fold roto X-axis reflection.
(vi) θ-fold roto α mirror (i.e., mirror making α angle with the X-axis) reflection.
Question 5: Can a 3-fold axis and a 4-fold axis simultaneously occur in a 2D lattice at the
same point? Why not? Give the detailed argument.
Question 6: What are the 10 crystallographic point groups in 2D? Give their generators,
and full list of the symmetry elements they contain. Are the generators you gave the only
ones possible in each case, or do alternatives exist? If so give alternative choices of genera-
tors wherever applicable.
Question 7: What are the 5 Bravais lattices in 2D? What are their characteristic point
groups?
Question 8: What is the full point group generated by a 4-fold rotation and an X-axis
mirror in 2D? We know that the square lattice exhibits this group of symmetries. So draw
the square lattice and denote all the symmetry elements using their appropriate symbols1
Question 9: Draw a 2D square lattice and identify 3 different unit cells.
Question 10: Say whether the following statements about 2D periodic patterns are true
or false:
(i) A unit cell should necessarily be a polygon.
(ii) A unit cell can never have a curved edge.
(iii) A curved edge unit cell is always possible to be chosen.
(iv) A circle can be a valid unit cell depending on the periodic pattern.
Question 11: A lattice is generated by 2î + ĵ and 3î + 2ĵ. As it is a 2D lattice, it can only
be one of the 5 Bravais lattices. Which one is it?
Question 12: Take the hexagonal lattice in 2D. What are all the symmetry elements in the
crystallographic point group associated with it? What are the subgroups of this group? We
know that if we attach a motif to a lattice, the symmetry of the net structure either remains
the same as that of the lattice or gets lowered (it can of course change but we carefully
avoid this in crystallography). So draw the hexagonal lattice and a few motifs over it such
that the symmetry goes from that of the full group to that of the various subgroups as you
go from one motif to the other.
1 Recall that filled versions of lens, triangle, square, and hexagon are the symbols for the 2-, 3-, 4-, and
6- fold rotation axis, respectively, and solid line is the symbol for a mirror).