unit cell

the smallest unit of structure of a crystal: it has sides parallel to the crystal axes and its exact repetition in three dimensions along these axes generates the space lattice of a given crystal

Bravais lattice - A lattice is a framework, resembling a three-dimensional,

periodic array of points, on which a crystal is built. The smallest array which can be repeated is the unit cell. In 1850, M. A. Bravais showed that identical points can be arranged spatially to produce 14 types of regular pattern. These 14 space lattices are

Miller index
noun Crystallography .

one of three integers giving the orientation and position of the face of a crystal in terms of the reciprocals, in lowest terms, of the intercepts of the face with each axis of the crystal

homogeneous nucleation
The spontaneous condensation or freezing of water in the atmosphere in the absence of substances to act as nuclei. This is most likely in super cooled air below 40

heterogeneous nucleation
The formation of vapor bubbles on cavities or scratches of a surface bounding a superheated liquid

Critical nuclear size is the minimum size of a nuclear reactor core or

nuclear weapon that can be made critical for a specific geometrical arrangement and material composition. The critical size must at least include enough fissionable material to reach critical mass. If the size of the fissionable material is less than a certain minimum, fission neutrons escape through its surface and the chain reaction is not sustained.

Diffusion - the process by which molecules spread from areas of high

concentration, to areas of low concentration. When the molecules are even throughout a space - it is called EQUILIBRIUM

diffusion flux (J)

the quantity of mass diffusing through and perpendicular to a unit crosssectional area of material per unit time

Definition of diffusion coefficient

A factor of proportionality representing the amount of substance diffusing across a unit area through a unit concentration gradient in unit time

Activation energy for diffusion

the minimum amount of energy required to convert a normal stable molecule into a reactive molecule called also energy of activation

burgers vector
A translation vector of a crystal lattice representing the displacement of the material to create a dislocation.

burger vector

Cross slip
The transfer of glide of a screw dislocation from one slip plane to another during deformation or thermal recovery.

Dislocation climb:
- Movement of dislocations out of glide planes by interaction with vacancy

Dislocation Interactions: 1. Annihilation

Same glide plane

2. Pinning
Different glide planes

3. Large atoms collect in impure

area of dislocation to relieve strain, therefore

materials are more difficult to deform.

Dislocation Formation: 1. Collapse of thermal vacancies 2. Frank-Reed Source 3. Growth defects 4. Mechanical stress
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Thermodynamics terms
Chemical energy - is related to the relationships between molecules in chemical compounds. When chemicals mix they may give of heat (exothermic reaction) or require heat (endothermic reaction)

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Electric energy - is related to electrons moving through a conductor Energy - can be reduced to the concepts of heat and work and can be found in various forms: potential energy, kinetic energy, thermal or internal energy, chemical energy, and nuclear energy Enthalpy - is a term with energy units that combines internal energy with a pressure/volume or flow work term Entropy - is a property of matter that measures the degree of randomization or disorder. The natural state is for entropy to be produced by all processes Heat - is energy in motion from one region to an other as a result of temperature difference Internal energy - has to do with activity within the molecular structure and is typically observed with temperature measurement Kinetic energy - is the energy of motion and is proportional to the square of the velocity as well to the mass of the moving body Nuclear energy - is related to the energy of atomic relationships between the fundamental particles. Nuclear fission and fusion are reactions which release nuclear energy Potential energy - is the energy of location or position of a mass in a force field Property - is a measurable characteristic of a system or substance. Temperature, density, pressure etc Specific Heat Capacity - The specific heat (also called specific heat capacity) is the amount of heat required to change a unit mass (or unit quantity, such as mole) of a substance by one degree in temperature Temperature - is a term used to quantify the difference between warm and cold level of internal energy of a substance Work - is an energy form which can be equated to the rising of a weight as moving a mass in a force field or moving a liquid against a resisting force