Department of Physics and Astrophysics

University of Delhi

Tutorial sheet 4: Solid State Physics, PH-CT 409, M.Sc./II Sem, 8.2.2020

1. Show that the reciprocal of a reciprocal lattice is a direct lattice.

2. Explain if a HCP lattice is a Bravais lattice.

3. For a simple square lattice, compare the kinetic energy of a free electron at a corner of the
first zone to that of an electron at the midpoint of a side face.

4. Aluminium has a BCC structure. Explain if and why/why not would the (111) reflection
be observed?

5. Sodium chloride (NaCl) has a FCC structure. Will the (111), (200), and (100) reflections
be observed?

6. Show that the permissible rotational symmetries in crystals are limited to 1,2,3,4,and 6-fold.

7. Construct the Wigner-Seitz cell for a centered rectangular lattice

8. A two-dimensional centered rectangular lattice is distinct from the rectangular P-lattice.

Would a centered square lattice be different from a simple square lattice. Why/why not?

9. Are
a
~a1 = −(x̂ + ŷ + ẑ) ,
2
a
~a2 = −(x̂ − ŷ + ẑ) ,
2
a
~a3 = −(x̂ + ŷ − ẑ) ,
2
the primitive vectors of a BCC lattice?

10. Consider the 2-dimensional packing of regular polygons of three-fold through eight-fold
symmetry. Which ones can form a close-packed planar network with no overlapping or
gaps in the plane? Based on your answer, what are the allowed rotational symmetry axes
in unit cells of 3- dimensional crystalline solids?

11. Prove that the rotoreflection axis is an improper axis.