TUTORIAL PROBLEMS 2

Note: Learners are expected to work on the problems

individually and be ready to present their working to the rest of
the class for discussion, corrections, etc.
1. Explain, giving two examples, what is meant by the
term allotropy.
2. Show the (2 2 1), (1 0 1) and (1 1 0) planes in a simple
cubic crystal lattice.
3. Given that molybdenum has the following
characteristics: crystal structure = BCC; lattice
constant = 0.315 nm; atomic weight = 95.94 amu,
calculate the following:
a. The nearest distance between atom centres in the
unit cell. (Ans: 0.27 nm).
b. The theoretical density of molybdenum. (Ans:
10,223 kg/m3).
c. The distance between successive (1 1 0) planes.
(Ans: 0.22 nm).
d. The angle between [1 1 1] and [1 1 2] directions.
(Ans: 19.5).
4. Given that copper has an FCC crystal structure with a
lattice constant = 0.361 nm and an atomic weight of
63.54 amu, calculate the following for copper:
a. The atomic packing factor of its unit cell. (Ans:
0.74).
b. The linear density of equivalent sites in the [1 1 1]
of its crystal. (Ans: 1.6 x 109 sites/m).
 c. The angle between the [2 1 2] and [1 1 3]
directions. (Ans: 25).
d. The theoretical density of copper. (Ans: 8,968
kg/m3).
5. Given that nickel has an FCC crystal structure with an
atomic radius of 0.1246 nm, calculate the following for
nickel:
a. The number of atoms per square meter on its (1 1
0) plane. (Ans: 1.14 x 1019 atoms/m2).
b. The linear density of equivalent sites in the [1 1 0]
and [0 1 1] directions. (Ans: 4.01 x 10 9 sites/m for
both).
c. The Miller index of the line of intersection
between the (1 1 0) and (1 1 0 ¿ planes. (Ans: [0 0 1].
6. Sketch a unit cell of the hexagonal close packed
crystal structure and calculate the number of atoms
per unit cell. Name 3 common metals with this crystal
structure. (Ans: 6 atoms/uc).
7. Calculate the angle of second order diffraction (i.e. n
= 2) from the (2 2 1) planes of a BCC crystal with an
atomic radius of 0.12 nm, when using monochromatic
x-rays with a wavelength of 0.091 nm. (Ans: 80).
8. Given that cobalt has a HCP crystal structure:
a. Name three other common metals with a similar
crystal structure.
b. Sketch a unit cell of its crystal clearly showing the
lattice constants.
 c. Determine the number of atoms/unit cell, clearly
showing how you arrive at your answer. (Ans: 6).
9. Estimate the amount of space not occupied by matter
in a 2 m3 block of nickel kept at room temperature. If
the atomic radius of nickel is 0.1246 nm, and its
atomic weight is 59 amu, estimate the weight of the
block. Show clearly how you arrive at your answers.
(Ans: 0.52 m3; 17,900 kg).
10. Sketch the unit cells of crystals of chromium and nickel
at room temperature and calculate the atomic packing
factor of each. (Ans: 0.68; 0.74).
11. Given that magnesium has a HCP crystal structure:
a) Sketch a unit cell of its crystal
b) Assuming perfect packing, calculate the amount of
space not occupied by matter in a 1m3 lock of
magnesium maintained at room temperature. (Ans:
0.26 m3).
c) Name 2 other metals with the same crystal
structure.
12. Calculate the angle of 1st order diffraction from the (1 0
0) planes of an FCC crystal of a metal with an atomic
radius of 0.11 nm when using x-rays with a wavelength of
0.1 nm. (Ans: 9.2).