Problem Set 1

1)
Introduction
Airbags used in the Mars Exploration Rover mission are the same type that Mars Pathfinder used in 1997. Airbags must
be strong enough to cushion the spacecraft if it lands on rocks or rough terrain and allow it to bounce across Mars' surface
at freeway speeds after landing. To add to the complexity, the airbags must be inflated seconds before touchdown and
deflated once safely on the ground.
While most new automobiles now come with airbags, spacecraft don't. The fabric used for the new Mars airbags is a
synthetic material called Vectran that was also used on Mars Pathfinder. Vectran has almost twice the strength of other
synthetic materials, such as Kevlar, and performs better at cold temperatures.
Denier is a term that measures the diameter of the thread used in the product. There are six 100-denier layers of the light
but tough Vectran protecting one or two inner bladders of the same material in 200-denier. Using the 100-denier means
there is more actual fabric in the outer layers where it is needed, because there are more threads in the weave.
What is Vectran?
Vectran is a manufactured fiber, spun from a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) created by Celanese Acetate LLC and now
manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd. Chemically it is an aromatic polyester produced by the polycondensation of 4hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid.
Vectran fibers are used as reinforcing (matrix) fibers for ropes, cables, sailcloth, and advanced composite materials,
professional bike tires, and in electronics applications. Perhaps most notably, Vectran is used as one of the layers in the
softgoods structure of NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit (spacesuit) designed and manufactured by ILC Dover and was
the fabric used for all of the airbag landings on Mars: Mars Pathfinder in 1997 and on the twin Mars Exploration Rovers
Spirit and Opportunity missions in 2004, also designed and manufactured by ILC Dover . The material was used again on
NASA's 2011 Mars Science Laboratory in the bridle cables. The tether of the JLENS military surveillance blimp that
became unmoored and crashed in Pennsylvania on Oct. 28, 2015 was made of Vectran.
Vectran is a key component of a line of inflatable spacecraft developed by Bigelow Aerospace, not only on two stations
which are in orbit but also the forthcoming Bigelow Expandable Activity Module which NASA has interest in testing for its
radiation shielding and thermal control capabilities.
The United States Department of Homeland Security is sponsoring development of an inflatable plug made of Vectran to
prevent flooding in New York City Subway tunnels and for other tunnels in New York City, as it is strong but relatively
inexpensive, and not edible for rats.[11] Vectran fiber is also used in manufacturing badminton strings such as Yonex BG85 and BG-80. Vectran is also used in the manufacturing of Carlton Vapour Trail badminton rackets.
Properties
Vectran's golden fibers are noted for their thermal stability at high temperatures, high strength and modulus, low creep,
and good chemical stability. They are moisture resistant and are generally stable in hostile environments. They are often
used in combination with polyester as a coating around a Vectran core; polyurethane coating can improve abrasion
resistance and act as a water barrier. Vectran has a melting point of 330 C, with progressive strength loss from 220 C.
As it has high resistance to ultraviolet radiation, it can be used long term in outdoor environments if inspected regularly.

2.)
a) The 4F Subshell is being filled for the Rare Earth Series of Elements.
b) The 5F Subshell is being filled for the Actinide Series of Elements.

3.)
a) En = -

c
r

r=interionic
constants: c,d,p

De p

Eq.1

i.

dE
dr

c
r2

r
p

De
p

ii.

ro

A+r=

Eo=

dE
dr =0
ro
p

c De

p
r o2
ro
p

( De )

c
r o2 =

iii.

Eq. 2

Substitute 2 in Eq 1

c=

(r o

ro
p

) ( De )

*substitute C in

eq.1

c
Eo = + De
ro

r o
p

Eo =De
Eo =De

ro
p

r
p

( r o ) ( De o )

(1 rp )

b) From Eq 1 solve for D.

ro

c De p
=
p
ro2
D=

(c ) ( p )

( ro2 ) ( e

ro
p

Substitute 3 in Eq. 1

Eo=

c
+ De
ro

Eo=

c cp
+
ro ro2

Eo=

cp c

ro2 ro

ro
p

Eq. 3

FINAL

c p
1
ro ro

FINAL

Eo=

7 B
8
0.38 nm

4.)

En=

A B
+
r rn

Eq. 1

5.37 eV =

r=ro

A
ro=
nB

( )

Eo=
Eo=

7 B
0.38 nm8

1
1n

(5.37 eV ) ( 0.38 nm8 )

B=
7

A B
+
ro ron
A
B
+
1
n
A rn
A 1n
nB
nB

B=3. 34 x 104 eV nm 8

( ) ( )

A=8 B ( 0.38 nm )7
Substituting the values
Eo= -5.37eV
ro= 0.38nm
n= 8

ro=

A
nB

( )

0.38=

1
1n

A
8B

( )

A=2.332096 eV nm

1
18

EA=
1 7
7

( ))

A
0.38=
8B

A=8 ( 3.34 x 104 eV nm 8 ) ( 0.38 nm )

Attractive Energy
7

A=8 B ( 0.38 nm )

Eo=

2.332096
eV nm
r

A
B
+
1
8
A 18
B 18
nB
nB

( ) ( )

Eo=

(8 B ) ( 0.38 nm7 )
B
+
0.38 nm
0.38 nm 8

Eo=

8 B
B
+
8
8
0.38 nm 0.38 nm

EB =

3.34 x 10
eV nm 8
8
r

Repulsive Energy

5.)
The percent ionic character (% 1C) of a bond between elements A and B (A being the most Electronegative)
maybe approximated by the expression:
2

%ionic character=( 1e( 0.25) ( XaXb ) ) x 100

for GaP, Xga = 1.6 & Xp = 2.1

1 c=( 1e

( 0.25) ( 2.11.6 ) 2

) x 100=6.1

for CsF, Xcs = 0.7 & Xf = 4.0

2

1 c=( 1e (0.25) (3.0 0.7) ) x 100=93.4

for FeO, Xfe = 1.8 & Xo = 3.5

2

1 c=( 1e (0.25) (3.5 1.8) ) x 100=51.4

6.)
0.23

0.22

0.28

0.49

0.36

0.41

0.22

0.23

0.49
0.42

0.37

0.28

Category 1

Category 2
Series 1

Category 3
Series 2

Series 3

Category 4