Linear and Planar Atomic Densities

Linear Density:
Directional equivalency is related to the atomic linear density in the
sense that equivalent directions have identical linear densities.
The direction vector is positioned so as to pass through atom centers.
The fraction of line length intersected by these atoms is equal to the
linear density.

Planar Density:
Crystallographic planes that are equivalent have the same atomic planar
density. The plane of interest is positioned so as to pass through atom
centers.
Planar density is the fraction of total crystallographic plane area that is
occupied by atoms.

Linear and planar densities are one- and two-dimensional

analogs of the atomic packing factor.
Chapter 3 -
 FCC: Linear Density
Number of atoms
• Linear Density of Atoms  LD =  Unit length of direction vector

[110]
ex: linear density of Al in [110]
direction 
a = 0.405 nm

# atoms
a 2
LD   3.5 nm1
Adapted from
Fig. 3.1(a),
length 2a
Callister &
Rethwisch 8e.

Chapter 3 - 2
P 3.53 (a): Linear Density for BCC

Calculate the linear density for the

following directions in terms of R:
a. [100]
b. [110]
c. [111]
Chapter 3 -
 Planar Density of (100) Iron
Solution:  At T < 912ºC iron has the BCC structure.
2D repeat unit

(100) 4 3
a R
3

Adapted from Fig. 3.2(c), Callister & Rethwisch 8e. Radius of iron R = 0.1241 nm
atoms
2D repeat unit 1
1 atoms atoms
Planar Density = = 2 = 12.1 = 1.2 x 10 19

area a2 4 3 nm 2
m2
R
2D repeat unit 3
Chapter 3 - 4
P 3.55 (a): Planar Density for BCC

Derive the planar density expressions for BCC (100) and

(110) planes in terms of the atomic radius R.

Chapter 3 -
 Planar Density of BCC (111) Iron
Solution (cont):  (111) plane 1 atom in plane/ unit surface cell

2a atoms in plane
atoms above plane

nit
atoms below plane

tu
ea
ep
3
h a
r
2D 2
2
 4 3  16 3 2
area  2 ah  3 a  3 
2
R   R
atoms  3  3
2D repeat unit 1
atoms = atoms
Planar Density = = 7.0 0.70 x 1019
area 16 3 2
nm 2
m2
R
2D repeat unit 3
Chapter 3 - 6
 P 3.54 (a): FCC

Derive planar density expressions for FCC (100), (110),

and (111) planes.

Chapter 3 -
 P 3.56
3.56 (a) Derive the planar density expression for the HCP
(0001) plane in terms of the atomic radius R.
(b) Compute the planar density value for this same
plane for magnesium. (atomic radius for magnesium is
0.160 nm)

Chapter 3 - 8