Crystals
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*The ability to crack into smaller shapes similar to their original shape | *The ability to crack into smaller shapes similar to their original shape | ||
| − | *The ability to conduct light, depending on how pure the crystal is. Pure crystals can absorb [[orgone]] energy from the sun which can then be used for [[faith healing|healing]] purposes. | + | *The ability to conduct light, depending on how pure the crystal is. Pure crystals can absorb [[orgone]] energy from the sun which can then be used for [[faith healing|healing]] purposes.{{fnord}} |
*The ability to grow by capturing material of the same chemical composition from a nearby, usually saturated, solution | *The ability to grow by capturing material of the same chemical composition from a nearby, usually saturated, solution | ||
*Some, such as quartz, have the magical ability to [[vibration|vibrate]] at a specific frequency when electrical energy is applied (the technique that powers quartz watches, among other oscillator-dependent devices) | *Some, such as quartz, have the magical ability to [[vibration|vibrate]] at a specific frequency when electrical energy is applied (the technique that powers quartz watches, among other oscillator-dependent devices) | ||
Revision as of 22:40, 7 September 2009
Crystals are highly ordered arrangements of atoms, ions, or molecules into what can most succinctly be described as "pretty rocks".[1] They have many unique powers, including:
- The ability to crack into smaller shapes similar to their original shape
- The ability to conduct light, depending on how pure the crystal is. Pure crystals can absorb orgone energy from the sun which can then be used for healing purposes.fnord
- The ability to grow by capturing material of the same chemical composition from a nearby, usually saturated, solution
- Some, such as quartz, have the magical ability to vibrate at a specific frequency when electrical energy is applied (the technique that powers quartz watches, among other oscillator-dependent devices)
- In crystals such as ruby, ability to amplify light for a laser by exciting atoms into a higher quantum state
- The ability to consolidate molecules into a metastable chunk [2]
- Crystals can be grown on a piece of string hanging from a saturated solution of, for instance, epsom salts. To the overstressed and impressionable these crystals might resemble a stalactite and be interpreted as refutation of the age of the earth[3].
- Certain crystals have the ability to generate electricity when stress is applied to them (piezoelectric effect).
- (with Iceland Spar) The ability to split time and space into two initially identical yet divergent paths, or at least look like it. [4]
- Holding the sum knowledge of the planet Krypton (usually in the form of a sliver of purified silicon crystal, with a forest of imperfections, also known as transistors, etched onto the surface).
- Inducing otherwise "sensible" people to believe in crystal woo.
Uses in chemistry
Crystals have numerous applications in the field of chemistry. When purifying a chemical compound, it is usually crystallised (if it will do so) - the desired product will form regular crystals while the remaining crap, unreacted material and by-products, will stay in solution. The crystals can then be filtered out, dried and weighed. This final weighing step is extremely important, as you can calculate your yield and get tremendous bragging rights for getting a yield bigger than someone else's.[5]
Crystals are also important in x-ray crystallography. As only a tiny fraction of x-rays are diffracted by a single molecule, many molecules are needed to produce a readable signal. The high, regular order of crystals means that many identical units - as opposed to a completely amorphous solid or solution which would create a randomised result - can be used to diffract x-rays. producing a pattern that can be used to identify the compound's structure, often referred to as the crystal structure. A technique that partially crystallised DNA allowed Rosalind Franklin to generate the x-ray diffraction data needed for Francis Crick and James Watson to determine the molecule's helical structure.
Other uses
- Crystal meth is "the baaad stuff".
- Crystal is a (not very) common name among human females.
- Crystal, or lead crystal, is a form of fine glassware.
- Crystal is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics' universe.