Angle of Rotation Formula:
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Definition: This is the angle through which an object must be rotated about a Cn axis to return to an equivalent position.
Purpose: It helps in understanding molecular symmetry and crystallographic operations in chemistry and physics.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: A full rotation (360°) is divided by the order of the rotation axis to determine the minimum rotation angle that produces an equivalent configuration.
Details: Understanding rotation angles is crucial for analyzing molecular symmetry, predicting physical properties, and interpreting spectroscopic data.
Tips: Enter the order of rotation axis (n) as a positive integer. The calculator will compute the corresponding rotation angle in radians.
Q1: What is a Cn rotation axis?
A: A Cn axis is a symmetry element where rotation by 360°/n produces an equivalent configuration of the object.
Q2: What are common values of n?
A: Common values include n=2 (180° rotation), n=3 (120°), n=4 (90°), and n=6 (60°).
Q3: How do I convert radians to degrees?
A: Multiply the radian value by 180/π (~57.2958) to get degrees.
Q4: What if n=1?
A: n=1 corresponds to a full rotation (360° or 2π radians), meaning no actual symmetry.
Q5: Can n be a non-integer?
A: For discrete symmetry operations, n must be an integer. Fractional values would correspond to continuous symmetry.