Lateral Growth
One way of understanding how lateral growth can be even less likely than surface
nucleation on a growing surface is to consider a simple, mechanical model - where
the crystal growth occurs in preferred directions due to the shape of the
individual elements.
In the first example vertical growth is difficult to initiate - since elements
landing on the top surface tend to fall on their side - which is not a stable
position.
Toppled over
In the second example it is horizontal growth that proves problematical -
the small, flat elements would rather lay on their sides than follow the crystal structure
- and lying on their sides they are liable to dissolve again.
Falling flat
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