Skip to main content

How do crystals work? - Graham Baird

3,411,455 Views

12,350 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Many crystals have signature shapes— like the cascade of pointed quartz or a pile of galena cubes. Every crystal’s atoms have a defining feature: their organized, repeating pattern. The pattern isn't restricted to minerals- sand, ice, metals and DNA also have crystalline structures. So what causes them to grow into these shapes again and again? Graham Baird dives into the unique properties of crystals.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Graham Baird
  • Director Franz Palomares
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Music Carlos Palomares
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce , Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Brian Gutierrez

More from Awesome Nature