Calculating Density of NaCl Crystal

In summary, the conversation discusses how to calculate the density of crystalline NaCl using the face-centred cubic lattice. The formula for calculating the number of atoms in a FCC system is given, and it is suggested to use the distance between nearby atoms to determine the mass of a single unit of NaCl. The final step is to use this mass to calculate the density.
  • #1
Deathfish
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Homework Statement



Calculate the density of crystalline NaCl, given that NaCl has a face-centred cubic lattice with a dimension a = 5.64A.

Homework Equations



1/8 Cl ion at each corner, 1/2 Cl ion on each face. 1 whole Na in the center, 1/4 Na ion along each edge.

The Attempt at a Solution



ok where do i begin
 
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  • #2
Is your question full?
For a FCC structure: corner atoms contribute only 1/8 and face-centered atoms contribute 1/6. So for a FCC system total number of atoms = 8(1/8) + 6(1/2) =4.
But which is corner atom and which is face-centered atom ?
Only idea comes to my mind is:
you should take 'a' as distance between two nearby Cl or Na atom. Then find the kg of NaCl single unit using 'mole' and 'Avogadro' stuff. Also you know volume. So you can compute density.
Hope this help
 
Last edited:
  • #3
Given - "1/8 Cl ion at each corner, 1/2 Cl ion on each face. 1 whole Na in the center, 1/4 Na ion along each edge." - how would one determine the total atomic mass in the unit cell?

Then given the mass, how would one determined the density?
 

1. How do you calculate the density of a NaCl crystal?

To calculate the density of a NaCl crystal, you need to know the mass and volume of the crystal. The formula for density is density = mass/volume. You can also use a graduated cylinder to measure the volume of the crystal.

2. What is the unit of measurement for density?

The unit of measurement for density is typically grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) for solids like NaCl crystals. However, it can also be measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) or grams per milliliter (g/mL).

3. What is the density of a NaCl crystal?

The density of a NaCl crystal is approximately 2.16 g/cm³ at room temperature. However, this value may vary slightly depending on the purity and temperature of the crystal.

4. How does the density of a NaCl crystal compare to other substances?

The density of a NaCl crystal is relatively high compared to other substances, such as water (1 g/cm³) and air (0.0012 g/cm³). This is due to the tightly packed arrangement of atoms in the crystal structure.

5. Can the density of a NaCl crystal change?

Yes, the density of a NaCl crystal can change if the temperature or pressure changes. As the temperature increases, the atoms in the crystal vibrate more, causing the crystal to expand and decrease in density. Similarly, increasing the pressure on the crystal can cause it to compress and increase in density.

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