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Theoretical Density of The Crystal
Theoretical Density of The Crystal
If the length of edge of the unit cell is known we can calculate the density of the crystal as
follows:
Mass number of the unit cell = number of atoms in a unit cell × Mass of one atom
= n × mg
Mass of the unit cell Number of atoms in a unit cell Mass of one atom
Example 1. An element (atomic mass = 60) having face-centred cubic crystal has a density
of . What is the edge length of the unit cell. (Avogadro constant,
).
Solution: since element has fcc structure hence there are 4 atoms in a unit cell (or n = 4).
Atomic mass is 60 (or M = 60)
Let ‘l’ be the length of the edge of the unit cell.
Example 2. The density of KBr is . The length of the edge of the unit cell is 654
pm. Show that KBr has a face centred cubic structure.
Solution,
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Since number of atoms (or ions) in a unit cell is four hence the crystal must be face
centred cubic.