Final answer:
A lattice is the regular spatial arrangement of points representing the positions of atoms, ions, or molecules in a crystalline solid. There are seven crystal systems with a total of fourteen different unit cells, including various types of cubic lattices. Lattices form the basic structure of crystals with varying properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
A lattice refers to the regular arrangement in space of points representing the positions of components (atoms, ions, or molecules) that make up a crystal. In chemistry and physics, these points show the periodic structure in a crystalline solid, and they are organized in such a way that they define the geometry of the entire crystal.
There are a total of fourteen different unit cells that make up the different types of lattices across seven crystal systems. Among these systems are various types of lattices including the simple cubic, body-centered cubic, and face-centered cubic, which are all types of cubic lattices - part of the cubic crystal system. The arrangement of these lattices varies in how the points (or lattice points) are positioned within the geometry of the space, leading to different properties for the resulting crystals.
It's also worth noting that a lattice can be thought of as the basic 'skeleton' upon which a crystal structure is built, as each lattice point can represent an atom or group of atoms that is repeated at regular intervals in three dimensions. There is no term such as "open lattice" in the standard nomenclature, but crystal structures can vary widely in the spacing and connections between their lattice points, resulting in a diverse range of crystal types.