QUESTION #1

(a) This unit cell belongs to the tetragonal crystal system since a = b = 0.30 nm,
c = 0.40 nm, and the angles are the same = = = 90.
(b) The crystal structure would be called body-centered tetragonal.
(c) Since the structure is body-centered tetragonal(BCC),
n = 2 atoms/unit cell. Also, for this unit cell
= (a2c)

VC

= (3.0 108 cm)2*(4.0 108 cm)

= 3.60 1023 cm3/unit cell
The density is equal to =

nA
VcNa

(2 atoms /unit cell)(141 g/mol)

(3.60 10 cm3 /unit cell)(6.022 1023 atoms /mol)
23

Density = 13.0 g/cm3

Question #2.
Calculate the radius of a tantalum atom, given that Ta has a BCC crystal structure, a density of
16.6 g/cm3, and an atomic weight of 180.9 g/mol.

nA
VcNa

160 g/cm3 =

2180.9
23
VC6.02210

Vc =a3 =3.619E-23
R=(( Vc)1/3*30.5)/4
= 8.26 109

Question #3.
Niobium has an atomic radius of 0.1430 nm and a density of 8.57 g/cm3. Determine whether it
has an FCC or BCC crystal structure.
In order to determine whether Nb has an FCC or BCC crystal structure, we need to
compute its density for each of the crystal structures.
For FCC, n = 4, and a = 2 R* 20.5.
its atomic weight is 92.91 g/mol.
Thus, for FCC = =

nA
VcNa

Where Vc = a^3 and a =2R20.5

(4 atoms/ unit cell)(92.91 g/ mol)

[ ( 2 ) 1.43 x 108 cm) ( 21.5 )
unit cell
Density = 9.34 g/cm3
For BCC, n = 2, and a = 4R*30.5 , thus

(4 atoms/ unit cell)(92.91 g/ mol)

[ ( 4 ) 1.43 x 108 cm)

1.5

(3 )

Density = 8.57 g/cm3

Therefore, Nb has a BCC crystal structure.

Question #4.
Calculate the number of vacancies per cubic meter in gold at 900C. The energy for vacancy
formation is 0.98 eV/atom. Furthermore, the density and atomic weight for Au are 18.63 g/cm3
(at 900C) and 196.9 g/mol, respectively.

T(K)=900+273=1173K
Nv = N* exp(-Qv/kT)
N = (NAAU)/AAU
Nv =[(NAAU)/AAU] *[exp(-Qv/kT)]

18.63
Nv =

g
c m3

6.0221023 atoms

mol

0.98 Ev /atoms

exp[ 8.62105 eV 1173

atoms

NV = 3.52E18 cm-3

number of vacancies per cubic meter = 3.52E24 m-3