The Molecular Tactics of a CrystalKelvin, William Thomson, Baron
Science
The Molecular Tactics of a Crystal
Kelvin, William Thomson, Baron
Crystallography, Mathematical
§ 7. The joint pivots are (for cheapness of construction) of copper
wire, each bent to make a hook below the lattice frame. On these
sixty-four hooks are hung sixty-four fine cords, firmly stretched by
little lead weights. Each of these cords (Fig. 4) bears eight short
perforated wooden cylinders, which may be slipped up and down to any
desired position[2]. They are at present actually placed at distances
consecutively each equal to the distance from joint to joint of the
lattice frame.
[Illustration: FIG. 4.]
§ 8. The roof of the model is hung by four cords, nearly vertical, of
independently variable lengths, passing over hooks from fixed points
above, and kept stretched by weights, each equal to one quarter of
the weight of roof and pendants. You see now by altering the angles
of the lattice work and placing it horizontal or in any inclined
plane, as I am allowed to do readily by the manner in which it is
hung, I have three independent variables, by varying which I can show
you all varieties of homogeneous assemblages, in which three of the
neighbours of every point are at equal distances from it. You see
here, for example, we have the equilateral assemblage. I have adjusted
the lattice roof to the proper angle, and its plane to the proper
inclination to the vertical, to make a wholly equilateral assemblage
of the little cylinders of wood on the vertical cords, a case, as
we have seen, of special importance. If I vary also the distances
between the little pieces of wood on the cords; and the distances
between the joints of the lattice work (variations easily understood,
though not conveniently producible in one model without more of
mechanical construction than would be worth making), I have three
other independent variables. By properly varying these six independent
variables, three angles and three lengths, we may give any assigned
value to each edge of one of the fundamental tetrahedrons of § 3.
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