AEM MSc 2012 - DIFFUSION QUESTIONS

1. (a) Given Fick's first law of diffusion

second law of diffusion.
(b)

2.

J = - D (c/x) derive an expression for Fick's

State the thin film solution to Fick's second law of diffusion

A thin film of radioactive copper was deposited on the end of a copper rod. After
annealing at a high temperature for 7.2 x 104 s the specimen was sectioned and the
radioactivity (a) of each section counted. The data listed below were obtained.
Calculate the tracer diffusion coefficient.
a (counts min 1 mg-1)
= concentration

(m) from end of rod

5012

1 x 10-4

3984

2 x 10-4

2345

3 x 10-4

1224

4 x 10-4

524.8

3..

Mean distance

5 x 10-4

A thin film of the stable tracer 54Fe was deposited on the end face of a rectangular
single crystal of FeO. After annealing for 10440 s at 880C the crystal was analyzed
to determine the concentration of 54Fe as a function of depth from the surface. The
data obtained are listed below. Calculate the tracer diffusion coefficient for 54Fe in
FeO at 880C. It may be assumed that the crystal remains stoichiometric FeO during
the experiment.
Concentration of 54Fe
(Arbitrary units) = concentration

Distance of measurement from

end of crystal (m)

8955

1 x 10-4

4629

2 x 10-4

1480

3 x 10-4

298

4 x 10-4

38

5 x 10-4

If the activation energy for the diffusion of Fe in FeO is 115 kJ mol -1 , calculate the
pre-exponential factor Do , and hence calculate the diffusion coefficient for Fe in
FeO at 1250C . ( It may be assumed that a single diffusion coefficient operates over
the temperature range 880-1250C)

The Gas Constant R = 8.314 J K-1 mol-1 .

4.

Describe what is meant be the term Interdiffusion Coefficient and explain how it can
be determined experimentally. (hint the Matano experiment could be relevant).

5.

Write down the Darken Equation.

(i) Explain what is meant by the individual terms in the equation, and
(ii) Explain the significance of the relationship between the terms in the
equation.

6.

(a). With the aid of a diagram, explain what is meant by the Kirkendall effect.
(b) Discuss the relationship between the chemical diffusion coefficient (Dc) and the
Interdiffusion coefficient (D), and explain how the two chemical diffusion
coefficients may be obtained from an interdiffusion experiment.
(c) Briefly describe three practical examples where the Kirkendall effect is known
to occur. Where possible, identify the fastest diffusing species in each example.

7.

Describe the Kirkendall effect and explain why its discovery had such a profound
effect on the understanding of diffusion processes. Include in your answer a
discussion of relevant diffusion coefficients and any relationship between them.