Solved Problems
1. A beam of X-rays of wavelength 0.071 nm is diffracted by (110) plane
of rock salt with lattice constant of 0.28 nm. Find the glancing angle for
the second-order diffraction.
Sol: Given data are:
Wavelength (λ) of X-rays = 0.071 nm
Lattice constant (a) = 0.28 nm
Plane (hkl) = (110)
Order of diffraction = 2
Glancing angle θ = ?
Bragg’s law is 2d sin θ = nλ
Substitute in Bragg’s equation
2. A beam of X-rays is incident on a NaCl crystal with lattice plane
spacing 0.282 nm. Calculate the wavelength of X-rays if the first-order
Bragg reflection takes place at a glancing angle of 8 °35′. Also calculate
the maximum order of diffraction possible.
Sol: Given data are:
NaCl crystal is FCC
Lattice plane spacing (d) = 0.282 nm
Wavelength of rays (λ) = ?
Order of diffraction (n) = 1
Glancing angle θ = 8°35′
Bragg’s equation is nλ = 2d sin θ
1λ = 2 × 0.282 × 10−9 sin (8°35′)
= 0.0842 nm
Maximum order of diffraction (nmax) = ?
2d sin θ = nλ
if θ = 90° then n = nmax
∴ 2d = nmax λ
4. Calculate the ratios d100 : d110 : d111 for a simple cubic structure.
Sol: Let ‘a’ be the lattice constant of cubic structure, then,
5. The Bragg’s angle in the first order for (220) reflection from nickel
(FCC) is 38.2°. When X-rays of wavelength 1.54 Å are employed in a
diffraction experiment. Determine the lattice parameter of nickel.
Sol: Order of diffraction, n = 1
Diffraction angle, θ = 38.2°
Wavelength of light, λ = 1.54 Å
Plane of reflection = (220)
Lattice parameter, a = ?
Bragg’s law is 2d sin θ = nλ
6. Monochromatic X-rays of λ = 1.5 A.U are incident on a crystal face
having an interplanar spacing of 1.6 A.U. Find the highest order for which
Bragg’s reflection maximum can be seen.
Sol: Given data are
Wavelength of light (λ) = 1.5 Å
Interplanar spacing (d) = 1.6 Å
Glancing angle (θm) = 90°
Order of diffraction (n) = ?
Bragg’s law
∴ The maximum order of diffraction is 2
7. The distance between (110) planes in a body centred cubic structure is
0.203 nm. What is the size of the unit cell? What is the radius of the atom?
Sol: The given data are
The distance between (110) planes of BCC structure (d110) = 0.203 nm =
0.203 × 10‒9 m
Length of unit cell (a) = ?
Volume of unit cell (a3) = ?
Radius of the atom (r) = ?
Volume of unit cell a3 = 0.02364 × 10‒27 m3
8. Monochromatic X-rays of λ = 1.5 A.U. are incident on a crystal face
having an interplaner spacing of 1.6 A.U. Find the highest order for which
Bragg’s reflection maximum can be seen.
Sol: Given data are wavelength of X-rays, λ = 1.5 Å
Interplanar spacing, d = 1.6 Å
For highest order of diffraction, θ = 90°
Highest order of diffraction, n = ?
Formula 2d sin θ = nλ
2 × 1.6 × sin 90° = n × 1.5
∴ Highest order of diffraction is 2.
9. Calculate the glancing angle at (110) plane of a cubic crystal having
axial length 0.26 nm corresponding to the second order diffraction
maximum for the X-rays of wavelength 0.65 nm.
Sol: The given data are
Edge length of cubic system, a = 0.26 nm
Wavelength of X-rays λ = 0.065 nm
Glancing angle, for plane (110), θ = ?
Order of diffraction, n = 2
Bragg’s law
2d sin θ = nλ
2 × 0.184 nm × sin θ = 2 × 0.065 nm
10. The Bragg’s angle for reflection from the (111) plane in a FCC crystal
is 19.2° for an X-ray wavelength of 1.54 A.U. Compute the cube edge of the
unit cell.
Sol: The given data are
Bragg’s angle, θ = 19.2°
Wavelength of X-rays, λ = 1.54 Å
Order of diffraction, n = 1
Cube edge, a = ?
Bragg’s law
2d sin θ = nλ
2d sin 19.2° = 1 × 1.54
11. The Bragg’s angle in the first order for (220) reflection from nickel
(FCC) is 38.2°. When X-rays of wavelength 1.54 Å are employed in a
diffraction experiment. Determine the lattice parameter of nickel.
Sol: Order of diffraction, n = 1
Diffraction angle , θ = 38.2°
Wavelength of light, λ = 1.54 Å
Plane of reflection = (220)
Lattice parameter, a = ?
Bragg’s law is 2d sinθ = nλ
12. Copper has FCC structure with lattice constant 0.36 nm. Calculate
the interplanar spacing for (111) and (321) planes.
Sol: Given data is:
lattice constant (a) = 0.36 nm = 0.36 × 10‒9 m
Interplanar spacing (d) for (111) plane is:
Interplanar spacing for (321) plane
13. The first-order diffraction occurs when a X-ray beam of wavelength
0.675 Å incident at a glancing angle of 5 °25′ on a crystal. What is the
glancing angle for third-order diffraction to occur?
Sol: Wavelength of X-rays (λ) = 0.675 Å
Glancing angle for first order (n = 1) diffraction (θ1) = 5°25′
Find the glancing angle for third order (n = 3) diffraction (θ3) = ?
Bragg’s equation is 2d sin θ = nλ
For first order, 2d sin θ1 = 1λ
2d sin 5°25′ = 0.675 × 10‒10 m
For third-order diffraction,
2d sin θ3 = 3λ
