while reading solid state physics I came about the concept of primitive and non-primitive unit cells and I was wondering about why it is called primitive.
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$\begingroup$ This is probably a better question for English Language & Usage. If you look in a good dictionary you'll find that one meaning of "primitive" is "not developed or derived from anything else; essential, fundamental." (My definition's from the OED but I would expect you can find similar definitions elsewhere.) $\endgroup$– Michael SeifertCommented Aug 9, 2022 at 14:00
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In complex crystalline solids, there may be more than one way to define a "unit cell" depending on how the constituent atoms are distributed in the repeating lattice positions. The simplest of those will be designated the primitive.
answered Aug 9, 2022 at 15:11