Chapter 3

ATOMIC ARRANGEMENT

1. How many lattice points are unique to the base-centered orthorhombic unit
cell?

(1/8)(8 corners) + (1/2) (2 faces) =2 points/cell

2. Why is there no base-centered tetragonal structure? Draw a lattice for

this structure, then determine what the actual unit cell is.

As the sketch indicates, the

base centered tetragonal
structure could be redrawn
as a simple tetragonal
structure.

3. Why is there no base-centered cubic structure? Draw a lattice for this

structure, then determine what the actual unit cell is.

As the sketch indicates, the

base-centered cubic structure
could be redrawn as a
simple tetragonal structure.

4. A material has a cubic unit cell with one atom per lattice point.
If a 0 = 4.0786 A and r = 1. 442 A. determine the crystal structure.
For simple cubic, a
0
= 2r = 2.884 ~ 4.0786
For BCC, a
0
4r/V3 = 3.33 ~ 4.0786

For FCC, a
0
= 4r/Y2 = 4.079 9! 4.0786 Material is FCC!

5. A material has a cubic unit cell with one atom per lattice point. If
a = 5.025 Aand r = 2.176 A, determine the crystal structure.
o

For simple cubic, a = 2r 4.352 ~ 5.025

0
For BCC, a 4r/V3 5.025 5.025 Material is BCC!
0
For FCC, a 4r/Y2 6. 156 ~ 5.025

11

D. R. Askeland, The Science and Engineering of Materials

© Chapman & Hall 1991
6. Using the atomic radius data in Appendix B, calculate the packing
factor for crystalline polyethylene.

The lattice parameters for orthorhombic polyethylene are

a = 7.41 A, b = 4.94 Aand c = 2.55 A. The atomic radii are
o 0 0
rC = 0.77 Aand r H= 0.46 A. From example 3-22, there are 8 H
atoms and 4 C atoms per cell
(4 C atoms) [4n(0.77)3/ 31 + 8 H atoms) [4n(0.46)3/ 31
PF = (7.41}(4.94)(2.55) 0.117

The unusually low packing factor is due to the restrictions of

covalent bonding and partly to the use of the particular atomic
radii listed in the Appendix.

7. The density of lead is 11.36 Mg/m3 , its atomic mass is 207.19 g/mol and
the crystal structure is FCC. Calculate (a) the lattice parameter and
(b) the atomic radius for lead.

(a) Because lead is FCC, there are 4 atoms/unit cell and we can
calculate the lattice parameter from the density equation

(4 atoms/cell) (207. 19 x 10- 6 )

p = 11.36
(a )3 (6.02 x 1023 )
o

121. 18 x 10- 30
:. a
o
4.9485 X 10-10 m = 4.9485 A
(b) For FCC unit cells

r = iZ a o/4 = (iZ) (4.9485) /4= 1.749 A

8. The density of tantalum is 16.6 Mg/m3 , its atomic mass is 180.95 g/mol
and the crystal structure is BCC. Calculate (a) the lattice parameter
and (b) the atomic radius for tantalum.

(a) From the density equation, with 2 atoms per unit cell,
(2 atoms/cell) (180.95 x 10-6 Mg/mol)
p = 16.6
(a )3 (6.02 x 1023 )
o
(ao )3 = 36.215 x 10-30

:. a
o
=3.3085 x 10- 10 m = 3.3085 A
(b) For BCC unit cells

r = 13 a /4
o
= (13) (3.3085)/4 1. 433 A

12