Pyrite Structure

Steven Dutch, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
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Pyrite is often described as having a modified halite structure. However, iron atoms alternate with pairs of covalently-bonded sulfur atoms. The pairs of atoms are skewed in alternate directions, so pyrite has lower symmetry than halite.

In this sketch, iron atoms are red and sulfur yellow. Darker shades are used for atoms further from the viewer.


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Created 22 February, 2001, Last Update 22 February, 2001

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