In your own words, explain why an object that has more symmetry elements is said to have “higher symmetry” than an object with fewer symmetry elements.
Interpretation:
The reason as to why an object that has more symmetry elements is said to have “higher symmetry” than an object with fewer symmetry elements is to be stated.
Concept introduction:
A symmetry operation is defined as an action on an object to reproduce an arrangement that is identical to its original spatial arrangement. The spatial arrangement of the object remains identical after a symmetry operation. The point of reference through which a symmetry operation takes place is termed as a symmetry element.
Answer to Problem 13.1E
An object that has more symmetry elements is said to have “higher symmetry” than an object with fewer symmetry elements because the object with more symmetry element has more identical spatial arrangements.
Explanation of Solution
The plane of symmetry is a symmetry element that is present in an object that can be divided into two equal identical halves. For example, the letter H has two planes of symmetry. These planes of symmetry are represented as,
Figure 1
If the letter H is written upside down then it will look totally identical to its original arrangement.
The letter A has only one plane of symmetry. The plane of symmetry in letter A is represented as,
Figure 2
If the letter A is written upside down then it will not look identical to its original arrangement.
The symmetry element of letter H is more than letter A and letter H is more symmetrical than letter A.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the object with more symmetry elements has more identical spatial arrangements. An object that has more symmetry elements is said to have “higher symmetry” than an object with fewer symmetry elements.
The object with more symmetry element has more identical spatial arrangements. Therefore, an object that has more symmetry elements is said to have “higher symmetry” than an object with fewer symmetry elements.
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Chapter 13 Solutions
Physical Chemistry
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