Molecular Point Groups
Molecular Point Groups
The symmetry elements and operations characterizing the geometry of a molecule form a point group. The possible symmetry elements are: the identity element, -fold axis of symmetry, plane of symmetry, center of inversion, and -fold rotation-reflection axis.
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This Demonstration illustrates the symmetry elements for 34 point groups (including two limiting groups) and a ball-and-stick model for a corresponding molecule. The symbols for the symmetry elements and more example molecule names are listed.