What is the process by which atoms are arranged to form a material with a crystal shape called?

1 Answer
Aug 31, 2016

#"Crystallization"#.

Explanation:

#"Crystallization"# remains the premier means to purify an inorganic or organic material. You get crystals out and you know your stuff is pure (of course, your material may crystallize out as a solvate, i.e. the crystals occlude several solvent molecules).

Good quality crystals allow an #"X-ray crystallography experiment"# to be performed, which is a very non-sporting method of analysis.