Geometry (2D & 3D shapes): Crystal Match
The Problem
Crystals are grouped according to their shape. The images opposite show what some of these crystal types look like and what they are called. You’ll notice that all of the crystal types have flat faces that include triangles and rectangles.
With a partner, can you match the clue card descriptions (see below) with the correct crystal type image?
Which crystal type does not have a description? What might this description be?
Did you know?
An individual salt crystal is shaped like a cube, similar to a dice. A sugar crystal looks like a hexagonal prism. Is this photograph showing salt or sugar crystals?
Visualising the Problem and Getting Started
Before matching the crystal types with the descriptions, see if you can answer the following questions with a partner:
1) Do any of the crystal shapes look familiar?
2) Which crystal shapes have 6 faces?
3) Which crystal shapes have 8 vertices?
4) Which crystal shapes have 2 hexagonal faces?
