Why Is My Calculated Debye Temperature for Sodium Higher Than Literature Values?

MMS
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Homework Statement


Na has a bcc structure with molecular mass of 22.99 gr/mol, mass density of 0.971 gr/cm^3.
The average speed of sound in Na (at room temperature=300K) is 3200 m/s.
Calculate the Debye temperature for Na

Homework Equations


I worked out this equation to calculate the Debye temperature (If needed I can show how)
XzxlsHT.png

The Attempt at a Solution


I plugged in all the numbers in the above equation with the correct units and I get that the Debye temperature is 280.3K. However, in literature I found that it is approximately 150K.
Is there something wrong with my calculations? Am I missing out on something here?

Thank you!
 
on Phys.org
MMS said:

Homework Statement


Na has a bcc structure with molecular mass of 22.99 gr/mol, mass density of 0.971 gr/cm^3.
The average speed of sound in Na (at room temperature=300K) is 3200 m/s.
Calculate the Debye temperature for Na

Homework Equations


I worked out this equation to calculate the Debye temperature (If needed I can show how)
XzxlsHT.png

The Attempt at a Solution


I plugged in all the numbers in the above equation with the correct units and I get that the Debye temperature is 280.3K. However, in literature I found that it is approximately 150K.
Is there something wrong with my calculations? Am I missing out on something here?

Thank you!
Please provide your calculations.
 
SteamKing said:
Please provide your calculations.
BnOvrQ7.png
 
MMS said:
BnOvrQ7.png
No, I meant your numbers.
 
SteamKing said:
No, I meant your numbers.
ShjbCQo.png
 
Anyone?
 
MMS said:
Anyone?
Your calculations are arithmetically correct, as far as I can see.

It's not clear that NA ⋅ ρ / MW is an accurate substitute for the N / V which is used in other Debye Temperature derivations I have seen. Your expression doesn't seem to account for the fact that since sodium is bcc, there are two atoms per cell, rather than one. It makes a difference in calculating the edge length of the cell.

I think for calculating a reasonable approximation to the Debye Temp., this is the issue which must be resolved. In some articles I have seen, the authors try to use the properties of the material measured close to the Debye Temp., like the speed of sound and the density, to come up with a more accurate calculation.
 

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