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Angle of Rotation in Cn Axis Calculator

Angle of Rotation Formula:

\[ \Phi = \frac{2\pi}{n} \]

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1. What is Angle of Rotation in Cn Axis?

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.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ \Phi = \frac{2\pi}{n} \]

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.

3. Importance of Rotation Angle Calculation

Details: Understanding rotation angles is crucial for analyzing molecular symmetry, predicting physical properties, and interpreting spectroscopic data.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the order of rotation axis (n) as a positive integer. The calculator will compute the corresponding rotation angle in radians.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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.

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