Determining Crystal Structure of a Metallic Element
What can be inferred from the diffraction peaks observed in the x-ray diffractometer recorder chart for a metallic element?
Diffraction peaks were recorded at 40.663°, 47.314°, 69.144°, and 83.448° with an incoming radiation wavelength of 0.15405 nm.
A. The crystal structure cannot be determined.
B. The crystal structure is BCC (Body-Centered Cubic).
C. The crystal structure is SC (Simple Cubic).
D. The crystal structure is FCC (Face-Centered Cubic).
E. The crystal structure is HCP (Hexagonal Close-Packed).
Answer:
The crystal structure of the metallic element is FCC (Face-Centered Cubic). The diffraction peaks observed in the x-ray diffractometer recorder chart indicate the presence of specific crystal planes within the metallic element.
By analyzing the angles at which these peaks occur, we can determine the crystal structure of the element. In this case, the diffraction angles of 40.663°, 47.314°, 69.144°, and 83.448° suggest a pattern consistent with the Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) crystal structure.
In an FCC structure, the atoms are arranged in a cubic lattice, with additional atoms located at the center of each face of the cube. This arrangement allows for the observed diffraction peaks at these particular angles.