SUMMARY
The density of crystalline NaCl can be calculated using its face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice structure, where the lattice parameter is given as a = 5.64 Å. The total number of atoms in the unit cell is determined by the contributions from corner and face-centered atoms, resulting in a total of 4 atoms per unit cell. To find the density, one must calculate the total mass of NaCl in the unit cell using Avogadro's number and the molar mass of NaCl, then divide this mass by the volume of the unit cell, which is derived from the lattice parameter.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice structures
- Knowledge of atomic contributions in unit cells
- Familiarity with Avogadro's number and molar mass calculations
- Basic skills in calculating density from mass and volume
NEXT STEPS
- Calculate the total atomic mass of NaCl in the unit cell using molar mass
- Learn how to compute the volume of a cubic unit cell
- Explore the concept of density and its formula in solid-state chemistry
- Investigate other crystal structures and their density calculations
USEFUL FOR
Chemistry students, materials scientists, and anyone studying solid-state physics or crystallography will benefit from this discussion on calculating the density of NaCl crystals.