Does the Powder XRD Data Indicate a Face-Centred Cubic Structure?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining whether a substance has a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. Key calculations involve using the equation 2dsinθ = nλ to derive values for d and N, where N corresponds to the Miller indices. The participant identifies N values for the first three peaks as 3, 4, and 8, which align with fcc structure characteristics. They seek clarification on structure factor calculations to confirm their findings, indicating some confusion about this aspect. The conversation emphasizes the importance of selection rules for identifying lattice types in XRD analysis.
s_gunn
Messages
33
Reaction score
0
1. Homework Statement

Using the powder XRD data below, show that the substance has a face centred cubic structure. (xray lamda = 0.154056 nm)

Peak No.------2(theta)
1 -------------38.06
2 -------------44.24
3 -------------64.34
4 -------------68.77
5 -------------73.07


2. Homework Equations

2dsin\theta = n\lambda

d = \frac{a}{\sqrt{N}}

\Delta sin\theta = \left(\frac{\lambda}{4a^{2}}\right)N_{2} - N_{1}

N= h^{2}+k^{2}+l^{2}


3. The Attempt at a Solution

I've worked out sin theta for each sin theta squared and delta sin theta:

Peak------2(theta)------sin theta----sin squared theta---delta sin squared theta
1-----------38.06-------0.32606-------0.10632------------
2-----------44.24-------0.37655-------0.14179------------0.03547
3-----------64.34-------0.53243-------0.28349------------0.1417
4-----------68.77-------0.56475-------0.31894------------0.03545
5-----------73.07-------0.59531-------0.35440------------0.03549

The only example we've covered is with a primitive cubic structure which I almost knew what I was doing(!) and the only advice that the lecturer gave was to "look for the highest common factor of values in the list delta sin squared theta to find

I obviously noted that the difference between peak 2 and 3 was the same value as Peak 2 but what I'm meant to do with that information I'm not so sure about!?

I know that a fcc structure only has N values of 3,4,8,11 etc but really could do with some advice as where to go from here!?

PS sorry that this is repeated from adv
anced physics - i felt it is more relevant here and didn't know how to move it!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Any help at all would be appreciated! I've spent ages searching for answers and the people that I've spolen to at uni have no clue either so i'd love to be able to pass on the knowledge!
 
s_gunn said:
2. Homework Equations

2dsin\theta = n\lambda

d = \frac{a}{\sqrt{N}}

\Delta sin\theta = \left(\frac{\lambda}{4a^{2}}\right)N_{2} - N_{1}

N= h^{2}+k^{2}+l^{2}

d = {{n\lambda}\over{2sin\theta}}=\frac{a}{\sqrt{N}}

{{n^{2}\lambda^{2}}\over{4sin^{2}\theta}}=\frac{a^2}{N}

{{n^{2}\lambda^{2}}\over{4a^{2}}}=\frac{sin^{2}\theta}{N}

\frac{sin^{2}\theta_1}{N_1}=\frac{sin^{2}\theta_i}{N_i}

\frac{N_i}{N_1}=\frac{sin^{2}\theta_i}{sin^{2}\theta_1} This might be more useful?
 
Last edited:
You have left out the most important part of identifying the lattice type, which is the selection rules. fcc lattices have non-zero intensity where the planes have h,k,l all even or all odd. so you can use trial and error and this equation:
\sin^{2}\theta = \left(\frac{\lambda}{4a^{2}}\right)[h^{2}+k^{2}+l^{2}]
to get the h,k and l for your planes, and compare to the selection rule and... you're done!
 
Thanks so far! I have since been told that the values for peak 4 and 5 are wrong so to ignore them.

Therefore I got N values for the first three peaks of 3,4,8 which I know are right for a fcc cube so now I just have the second part which says I need to confirm my findings with structure factor calculations so I'll see how they go and let you know when it's solved!
 
thanks everyone! I'm handing in tomorrow - still not sure what structure factor calculations are - I thought that's what I'd been doing all along!
 
Thread 'Confusion regarding a chemical kinetics problem'
TL;DR Summary: cannot find out error in solution proposed. [![question with rate laws][1]][1] Now the rate law for the reaction (i.e reaction rate) can be written as: $$ R= k[N_2O_5] $$ my main question is, WHAT is this reaction equal to? what I mean here is, whether $$k[N_2O_5]= -d[N_2O_5]/dt$$ or is it $$k[N_2O_5]= -1/2 \frac{d}{dt} [N_2O_5] $$ ? The latter seems to be more apt, as the reaction rate must be -1/2 (disappearance rate of N2O5), which adheres to the stoichiometry of the...
I don't get how to argue it. i can prove: evolution is the ability to adapt, whether it's progression or regression from some point of view, so if evolution is not constant then animal generations couldn`t stay alive for a big amount of time because when climate is changing this generations die. but they dont. so evolution is constant. but its not an argument, right? how to fing arguments when i only prove it.. analytically, i guess it called that (this is indirectly related to biology, im...

Similar threads

Back
Top