MSEG302 HOMEWORK 2 (Chapters 3 and 4)

3.2 (10 points, completion) If the atomic radius of aluminum is 0.143 nm, calculate the volume of its
unit cell in cubic meters.

Solution

For this problem, we are asked to calculate the volume of a unit cell of aluminum. Aluminum has an FCC crystal
structure (Table 3.1). The FCC unit cell volume may be computed from Equation 3.4 as

VC = 16R 3 2 = (16) (0.143 × 10 -9 m) 3( 2 ) = 6.62 × 10 -29 m3

3.14 (20 points, detailed grading) Below are listed the atomic weight, density, and atomic radius for
three hypothetical alloys. For each determine whether its crystal structure is FCC, BCC, or simple
cubic and then justify your determination. A simple cubic unit cell is shown in Figure 3.24.

Alloy Atomic Weight Density Atomic Radius

(g/mol) (g/cm3) (nm)

A 77.4 8.22 0.125

B 107.6 13.42 0.133

C 127.3 9.23 0.142

Solution

For each of these three alloys we need, by trial and error, to calculate the density using Equation 3.5, and compare it
to the value cited in the problem. For SC, BCC, and FCC crystal structures, the respective values of n are 1, 2, and
4R
4, whereas the expressions for a (since VC = a3) are 2R, and 2 R 2 .
3
For alloy A, let us calculate ρ assuming a simple cubic crystal structure.

nAA
ρ =
VC N A

nAA
=
(2R)3 N A
 (1 atom/unit cell)(77.4 g/mol)
=
 3 
[ ]
 (2)(1.25 × 10−8 ) /(unit cell) (6.022 × 10 23 atoms/mol)
 

= 8.22 g/cm3

Therefore, its crystal structure is simple cubic.

For alloy B, let us calculate ρ assuming an FCC crystal structure.

nAB
ρ =
(2 R 2) 3 N A

(4 atoms/unit cell)(107.6 g/mol)

=
 
[( ) ]
3
 2 2 (1.33 × 10 -8 cm) /(unit cell)  (6.022 × 10 23 atoms/mol)
 

= 13.42 g/cm3

Therefore, its crystal structure is FCC.

For alloy C, let us calculate ρ assuming a simple cubic crystal structure.

nAC
=
(2R)3 N A

(1 atom/unit cell)(127.3 g/mol)

=
 3 
[ ]
 (2)(1.42 × 10 -8 cm) /(unit cell) (6.022 × 10 23 atoms/mol)
 

= 9.23 g/cm3
Therefore, its crystal structure is simple cubic.

3.30 (10 points, completion) 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] , (g) [12 3 ] ,

(d) [13 3] , (h) [1 03] .

Solution

The directions asked for are indicated in the cubic unit cells shown below.
3.40 (20 points, detailed grading) Sketch within a cubic unit cell the following planes:

(a) (01 1 ) , (e) (1 11 ) ,

(b) (112 ) , (f) (12 2 ) ,

(c) (102 ) , (g) (1 23 ) ,

(d) (13 1) , (h) (01 3 )

Solution

The planes called for are plotted in the cubic unit cells shown below.
4.2 (10 points, detailed grading) Calculate the number of vacancies per cubic meter in iron at 850°C.
The energy for vacancy formation is 1.08 eV/atom. Furthermore, the density and atomic weight for Fe
are 7.65 g/cm3 and 55.85 g/mol, respectively.

Solution

Determination of the number of vacancies per cubic meter in iron at 850°C (1123 K) requires the utilization of
Equations 4.1 and 4.2 as follows:

 Q  N A ρFe  Q 
N v = N exp − v  = exp − v 
 kT  AFe  kT 

And incorporation of values of the parameters provided in the problem statement into the above equation leads to

Nv =
(6.022 × 10 23 atoms / mol)(7.65 g / cm3)
exp
 1.08 eV / atom 
− 
55.85 g / mol  (8.62 × 10−5 eV / atom − K) (850°C + 273 K) 

= 1.18 × 1018 cm-3 = 1.18 × 1024 m-3

4.7 (10 points, detailed grading) What is the composition, in atom percent, of an alloy that consists of
30 wt% Zn and 70 wt% Cu?

Solution

In order to compute composition, in atom percent, of a 30 wt% Zn-70 wt% Cu alloy, we employ Equation 4.6 as

C Zn ACu
C Zn
' = × 100
C Zn ACu + CCu AZn

(30)(63.55 g / mol)
= × 100
(30)(63.55 g / mol) + (70)(65.41 g / mol)

= 29.4 at%

CCu AZn
CCu
' = × 100
C Zn ACu + CCu AZn
 (70)(65.41 g / mol)
= × 100
(30)(63.55 g / mol) + (70)(65.41 g / mol)

= 70.6 at%

4.8 (10 points, completion) What is the composition, in weight percent, of an alloy that consists of 6
at% Pb and 94 at% Sn?

Solution

In order to compute composition, in weight percent, of a 6 at% Pb-94 at% Sn alloy, we employ Equation 4.7 as

' A
CPb Pb
CPb = × 100
' A +C' A
CPb Pb Sn Sn

(6)(207.2 g / mol)
= × 100
(6)(207.2 g / mol) + (94)(118.71 g / mol)

= 10.0 wt%

' A
CSn Sn
CSn = × 100
' A +C' A
CPb Pb Sn Sn

(94)(118.71 g / mol)
= × 100
(6)(207.2 g / mol) + (94)(118.71 g / mol)

= 90.0 wt%

EXTRA (not assigned): 4.14 Calculate the number of atoms per cubic meter in aluminum.

Solution

In order to solve this problem, one must employ Equation 4.2,

N A ρ Al
N =
AAl
The density of Al (from the table inside of the front cover) is 2.71 g/cm3, while its atomic weight is 26.98 g/mol.
Thus,

(6.022 × 10 23 atoms / mol)( 2.71 g / cm3 )

N =
26.98 g / mol

= 6.05 × 1022 atoms/cm3 = 6.05 × 1028 atoms/m3

4.16 (10 points, completion) Determine the approximate density of a high-leaded brass that has a
composition of 64.5 wt% Cu, 33.5 wt% Zn, and 2.0 wt% Pb.

Solution

In order to solve this problem, Equation 4.10a is modified to take the following form:

100
ρ ave =
CCu C Zn C
+ + Pb
ρCu ρ Zn ρPb

And, using the density values for Cu, Zn, and Pb—i.e., 8.94 g/cm3, 7.13 g/cm3, and 11.35 g/cm3—(as taken from
inside the front cover of the text), the density is computed as follows:

100
ρ ave =
64.5 wt% 33.5 wt% 2.0 wt%
3
+ 3
+
8.94 g / cm 7.13 g / cm 11.35 g / cm3

= 8.27 g/cm3

NOT ASSIGNED 4.29 (a) For a given material, would you expect the surface energy to be greater
than, the same as, or less than the grain boundary energy? Why?

Solution

(a) The surface energy will be greater than the grain boundary energy. For grain boundaries, some atoms on one
side of a boundary will bond to atoms on the other side; such is not the case for surface atoms. Therefore, there will
be fewer unsatisfied bonds along a grain boundary.