1.7 Consider an atom in a simple cubic crystal and located at the origin. Find the distance between this atom and its first, second, and third nearest neighbors in terms of the lattice constant a. Express the vectors from this atom to its first, second, and third nearest neighbors in Miller indices. How many first, second, and third nearest neighbors does this atom have

answer is: naturally occurring solid, inorganic compound or element is mineral.

minerals usually have crystalline form, that means than crystal constituents (atoms, molecules or ions) are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions.

for example magnetite is a mineral of iron oxide (fe₂o₃).

calcite is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate (caco₃).

dolomite is an   carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate (camg(co₃)₂).