3.5 Show that the atomic packing factor for BCC is 0.68.

Solution
The atomic packing factor is defined as the ratio of sphere volume to the total unit cell volume, or

APF =

VS
VC

Since there are two spheres associated with each unit cell for BCC

4R 3 8R 3
VS = 2(sphere volume) = 2
3
=
3

Also, the unit cell has cubic symmetry, that is VC = a3. But a depends on R according to Equation 3.3, and

4R
64 R 3
VC = =
3
3 3
Thus,

APF =

VS
VC

8 R3 /3
64 R3 /3 3

= 0.68

3.8 Calculate the radius of an iridium atom, given that Ir has an FCC crystal structure, a density of 22.4 g/cm 3, and

an atomic weight of 192.2 g/mol.

Solution
We are asked to determine the radius of an iridium atom, given that Ir has an FCC crystal structure. For
FCC, n = 4 atoms/unit cell, and VC = 16R3 2 (Equation 3.4). Now,
=

And solving for R from the above expression yields

nAIr
VC N A

nAIr

(16R 3 2 ) N A

 nA
1/3
Ir
R =

16N A 2

1/3
(4 atoms/unit cell)192.2 g/mol
=

(16)(22.4 g/cm3)(6.022 1023 atoms/mol)( 2 )

= 1.36 10-8 cm = 0.136 nm

3.13 Rhodium has an atomic radius of 0.1345 nm and a density of 12.41 g/cm 3. Determine whether it has an FCC
or BCC crystal structure.
Solution
In order to determine whether Rh has an FCC or a BCC crystal structure, we need to compute its density
for each of the crystal structures. For FCC, n = 4, and a = 2 R 2 (Equation 3.1). Also, from Figure 2.6, its atomic
weight is 102.91 g/mol. Thus, for FCC (employing Equation 3.5)

nA
Rh
3
a NA

nARh
(2R 2 )3 N

(4 atoms/unit cell)(102.91 g/mol)

3

(2)(1.345 10-8 cm)( 2 ) /(unit cell) (6.022 1023 atoms/ mol)

= 12.41 g/cm3

which is the value provided in the problem statement. Therefore, Rh has the FCC crystal structure.

3. 17 Titanium has an HCP unit cell for which the ratio of the lattice parameters c/a is 1.58. If the radius of the Ti
atom is 0.1445 nm, (a) determine the unit cell volume, and (b) calculate the density of Ti and compare it with the
literature value.
Solution
(a) We are asked to calculate the unit cell volume for Ti. For HCP, from Equation 3.S1 (found in the
solution to Problem 3.6)

VC = 6 R2 c 3

But for Ti, c = 1.58a, and a = 2R, or c = 3.16R, and

VC = (6)(3.16) R3 3

= (6)(3.16) ( 3) 1.445 10-8 cm

= 9.91 1023 cm3/unit cell

(b) The theoretical density of Ti is determined, using Equation 3.5, as follows:

nATi
VC N A

For HCP, n = 6 atoms/unit cell, and for Ti, ATi = 47.87 g/mol (as noted inside the front cover). Thus,

(9.91

(6 atoms/unit cell)(47.87 g/mol)

10-23 cm3/unit cell)(6.022 1023 atoms/mol)

= 4.81 g/cm3

The value given in the literature is 4.51 g/cm3.

3.25 Sketch a tetragonal unit cell , and within that cell indicate locations of the

1
2

1
2

and

coordinates.

Solution
A tetragonal unit in which are shown the

1
2

1
2

and

113
4 24

point coordinates is presented below.

1 1 3
4 2 4

point

3.30 Within a cubic unit cell, sketch the following directions:

(a)

[1 10] ,

(e) [1 1 1] ,

(b)

[1 2 1] ,

(f) [1 22],

(c)

[01 2],

(d)

[13 3] ,

(g) [12 3 ] ,
(h) [1 03] .

Solution

The directions asked for are indicated in the cubic unit cells shown below.

3.32 Determine the indices for the directions shown in the following cubic unit cell:

Solution

Direction A is a [430] direction, which determination is summarized as follows. We first of all position
the origin of the coordinate system at the tail of the direction vector; then in terms of this new coordinate system

2a

3
2

2
1

Projections

Projections in terms of a, b, and c

Reduction to integers

Enclosure

z
0c
0

[430]

Direction B is a [232] direction, which determination is summarized as follows. We first of all position
vector; then in terms of this new coordinate system
the origin of the coordinate system at the tail of the direction

Projections

2a

3
2

Projections in terms of a, b, and c

Enclosure

2c
3
2

Reduction to integers

[232]

Direction C is a [13 3] direction, which determination is summarized as follows. We first of all position
vector; then in terms of this new coordinate system
the origin of the coordinate system at the tail of the direction

Projections

3
1

Projections in terms of a, b, and c

Reduction to integers

Enclosure

[13 3]

Direction D is a [136] direction, which determination is summarized as follows. We first of all position

the origin of the coordinate system at the tail of the direction vector; then in terms of this new coordinate system

Projections
Projections in terms of a, b, and c
Reduction to integers

6
1

2
1

1
6

[136]

Enclosure

3.42 Determine the Miller indices for the planes shown in the following unit cell:

Solution
For plane A we will move the origin of the coordinate system one unit cell distance to the upward along the
z axis; thus, this is a (322) plane, as summarized below.
x

Intercepts
Intercepts in terms of a, b, and c
Reciprocals of intercepts
Reduction

Enclosure

2
(not necessary)

(322)

2
2

For plane B we will move the original of the coordinate system on unit cell distance along the x axis; thus,

this is a (1 01) plane, as summarized below.

x

Intercepts

Intercepts in terms of a, b, and c

Reciprocals of intercepts

Reduction

a
2
1
2

c
2
1

(1 01)

Enclosure

3.43 Determine the Miller indices for the planes shown in the following unit cell:

Solution
For plane A since the plane passes through the origin of the coordinate system as shown, we will move the
origin of the coordinate system one unit cell distance to the right along the y axis; thus, this is a (324) plane, as
summarized below.
x
2a

Intercepts

Reciprocals of intercepts

Reduction

Enclosure

Intercepts in terms of a, b, and c

2
1

3
3
2

(324)

For plane B we will leave the origin at the unit cell as shown; this is a (221) plane, as summarized below.

Intercepts
Intercepts in terms of a, b, and c
Reciprocals of intercepts
Reduction

1
2

2
not necessary

z
c
1
1

Enclosure

(221)

3.48 Below are shown three different crystallographic planes for a unit cell of some hypothetical metal. The circles
represent atoms:

(a) To what crystal system does the unit cell belong?

(b) What would this crystal structure be called?
(c) If the density of this metal is 8.95 g/cm3, determine its atomic weight.
Solution
The unit cells constructed below show the three crystallographic planes that were provided in the problem
statement.

(a) This unit cell belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system since a = 0.30 nm, b = 0.40 nm, c = 0.35 nm,
and = = = 90.
(b) This crystal structure would be called body-centered orthorhombic since the unit cell has orthorhombic
symmetry, and an atom is located at each of the corners, as well as at the cell center.
(c) In order to compute its atomic weight, we employ Equation 3.5, with n = 2; thus

A =

VC N A
n

(8.95 g/cm3) (3.0)(4.0)(3.5) ( 10-24 cm3/unit cell)(6.022 10 23 atoms/mol)

2 atoms/unit cell

= 113.2 g/mol