Chapter 15, Problem 15A.2E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Number of formula units per unit cell and a more precise value of the density has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Unit cells are the fundamental building block of atoms which repeats itself to form an entire crystal lattice.

$\text{Volume}=\frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Density}}$

If the edge length of unit cell is known then the volume of a unit cell can be calculated by using the equation $\text{a}\times \text{b}\times \text{c}$ where a, b and c are the edge length in X, Y and Z axis respectively.

The density is expressed by the formula,

  $\text{d}=\frac{\text{Z}\times \text{M}}{{\text{a}}^3\times {\text{N}}_{\text{a}}}$

Where d is the density, $Na$ is the Avogadro number, M is the mass and a is the edge length.