MATERIALS AND DESIGN - ME2200

Tutorial 1

Date: 23 Jan 2018 Time: 4:45 pm to 5:45 pm

1. Consider the Lennard-Jones 6-12 potential the interaction between the two atoms is
given by 3 Marks
" 12 6 #
σ σ

U (R) = B −
R R

Where R is the separation distance between atoms and σ and B are material con-
stants.

(a) Express the equilibrium distance and binding energy of the system in terms of
B and σ.
(b) If the equilibrium inter-atomic spacing and the binding energy are 0.38nm and
−6.13eV , respectively. Determine explicit expressions for attractive and repul-
sive energies EA and ER .
(c) Determine the stiffness of the interatomic bond at equilibrium separation.

Figure 1: Potential energy vs interatomic distance for Lennard-Jones Potential

1
2. The average atomic weight of Cr is 51.9963amu. The atomic weight details of the
four naturally occurring isotopes are given in the table 1. 3 Marks

Table 1: Details of Chromium Isotopes

Sl.No Isotope Percentage Atomic Weight (amu)

50
1 Cr 4.34% 49.9460
52
2 Cr 83.79% 51.9405
53
3 Cr 9.50% ?
54
4 Cr 2.37% 53.9389

53
(a) Find the atomic weight of Cr.
50
(b) How many no of atoms of Cr isotopes are present in 52 grams of Chromium?.

3. The electronegativity according to the Pauling scale for elements are tabulated in
the table 2. Find the percentage ionic character bond of the following components
MgO, CdS, GaP, FeO and CsF. 2 Marks

Table 2: Pauling Scale Electronegativity

Element Mg Ga Cs Cd S Fe O P F
Electronegativity 1.31 1.81 0.79 1.69 2.58 1.83 3.44 2.19 3.98

4. Answer the following questions 2 Marks

(a) N, P, As and Sb all belong to group V in the periodic table ( in increasing atomic
number). The boiling point data for the hydrides are given in the table 3. Why
NH3 has a higher boiling point than the expected from the trend?.
(b) Provide the rationale for the floating of ice on the water.

Table 3: Boiling Point data

Compound Boiling Point

NH3 -33.3
PH3 -87.75
AsH3 -62.50
SbH3 -17.00