This applet models the symmetry operations of the group C2v. Click on the C1 box to see the animation for the operation, a 360 degree rotation (which is equivalent to the identity operation).
The C2 is a 2-fold (180 degree) rotation that takes the triangle out of the xy- plane (the plane of the computer screen).
The letter σ represents a mirror plane, which reflects one part of the molecular into the other half. σv' is a mirror plane in the plane of the screen - it reflects the top half of each atom into its bottom half. σv is the vertical mirror plane, perpendicular to the plane of the computer screen. It reflects the right half of the isosceles triangle into the left, reflecting the right half of atom 1 into the left half of 1. Yellow color is used to suggest a reflective glass.
A classic example of this point group is water.
© 2003-2011 by Lawrence T. Sein. All rights reserved.
Send questions to: lseinjr@hotmail.com