Lecture 5 - Order in Solids Flashcards
What is amorphous structure?
Non-dense, random packing of atoms/molecules within a solid.
What is crystalline structure?
Dense, regular packing of atoms/molecules within a solid.
Which is a lower energy structure and why: Crystalline or amorphous?
Crystaline structures are typically more stable/lower energy due to their dense, regular-packed structure.
What is a single crystal?
entire solid is one long crystal
What is a polycrystal?
Several crystals packed together in one solid
What is the best 2-dimension packing structure?
“Closed packed” structures (hexagonal) because it minimizes the amount of empty space within a crystal
What are properties of metallic crystals?
Densely packed crystals (extra), simplest structure
Why are metallic crystals so densely packed?
- Typically only one element present (all atomic radii are equal)
- Metallic bonding is non-directional
- small intramolecular or atomic distance lowers bond energy
- Electron cloud shields positive cores from repulsive forces
What is a unit cell?
smallest repetitive volume which
contains the complete pattern of a crystal.
What is the coordination number (CN)?
Number of neighbouring particles that come in direct contact with one given particle in a hard sphere model.
For the simple cubic structure: CN, atoms/unit cell, a/R relationship?
CN: 6
atoms/unit cell = 1
a = 2R
What is the formula for the atomic packing factor?
APF = (# of atoms/unit cell)(volume of atom with R in terms of a)/(volume of unit cell which is a^3)
For the body centred cubic structure: CN, atoms/unit cell, a/R relationship?
CN: 8
atoms/unit cell = 2
a = 4R/sqrt(3)
For the face centred cubic structure: CN, atoms/unit cell, a/R relationship?
CN: 12
atoms/unit cell: 4
a = 2Rsqrt(2) –> a^2+a^2=(4R)^2
For the hexagonal close packed structure: CN, atoms/unit cell?
CN: 12
atoms/unit cell: 6
Why do compounds have more complex crystal structures?
Differences in atomic radii yields more possible structures.
How are compound structures typically described?
describing the lattice of one particle type and describing how the voids in this structure are filled by other types of particles.
ex: CsCl: simple cubic atom cell with central voids occupied by the other atom.
What are the two types of voids within FCC structures of compounds?
- Octahedral (CN = 6)
- Tetrahedral (CN = 4)
How many types of each void appear in FCC structure per unit cell?
Octahedral = 4 voids
Tetrahedral = 8 voids
What is the “Rock Salt” structure?
FCC structure with all octahedral voids occupied by the other atom.
ex: LiF, NaF, KCl… all ionic salts
What is the “Zincblende” structure?
FCC structure with half of the tetrahedral voids occupied by the other atom.
ex: diamonds (except voids are filled with other carbons)
What is the theoretical density formula?
density = (atoms/unit cell)(atomic weight)/(volume of unit cell)(Avogadros number)