Calculating Bragg Angles for X-Ray Scattering from Table Salt Crystal

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the Bragg angles for X-ray scattering from a table salt crystal, specifically focusing on the spacing between Na and Cl atoms and the energy of the X-rays used in the experiment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply Bragg's Law to find the angles but questions the validity of their results based on the energy of the X-rays used. Other participants suggest that the energy should be in the keV range rather than eV, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the problem setup.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the implications of using the correct energy values for X-ray scattering. Some guidance has been offered regarding the appropriate energy range for X-rays, and there is acknowledgment of a typo in the original problem statement that may affect the calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted discrepancy in the energy value provided in the problem, with participants indicating that the correct energy should be 20 keV instead of 20 eV, which is critical for the calculations involved.

transmini
Messages
81
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


The Spacing between the Na and Cl atoms in table salt (NaCl) is ##d=2.82x10^{-10}m##, which was first deduced from Bragg scattering. For an experiment where X-rays of energy 20 eV are produced, what are the corresponding Bragg angles below ##90^{\circ}## for scattering from a large crystal of table salt?

Homework Equations


Bragg's Law: ##2dsin(\theta)=n\lambda##

The Attempt at a Solution


##sin(\theta)=\frac{n\lambda}{2d}##
##\lambda = \frac{hc}{E_{photon}}##
##\theta = sin^{-1}(\frac{nhc}{2dE})##
##\theta = sin^{-1}(\frac{n*1240eV\dot nm}{2*0.282nm*20eV})##
##\theta = sin^{-1}(n*109)##

but this isn't within the domain of arcsin. So are there just no Bragg's angles here? Or is there a different energy that I'm using rather than 20 eV?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I believe your calculations are correct. Perhaps someone else can also check the numbers, but I think the x-ray energies need to be more like 20 keV.
 
Definitely in the keV region. From memory, Cu Kα, a common source, is around 8 keV.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Charles Link
After turning in the work today, the professor mentioned there was a typo in the book and he failed to email us to tell us that before hand. It was in fact supposed to be 20 keV.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Charles Link

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
9K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
11K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K