UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO
TURFLOOP CAMPUS
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURE
SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL AND MINERAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
DEGREE AND DIPLOMA EXAMINATION OCT/NOV: 2016
MODULE: SPHA032 PAPER: P
(SOLID STATE PHYSICS)
TIME: 3 HOURS MARKS : 100
INTERNAL EXAMINER: DR PS NTOAHAE
SECOND EXAMINER: DR TE MOSUANG
EXTERNAL EXAMINER: PROF D JOUBERT
(WITS)
THIS PAPER CONSISTS OF ELEVEN (11) PAGES INCLUDING COVER PAGE
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. This paper consists of five (5) questions.
2. You must answer any four (4) questions.
3. Figures 1.1, 1.2, 2.1(a) and (b), 4.1 appear at pages 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively.
4. Write neatly and legibly.
5. Number your answers correctly.
6. Your calculations should be clear and neat.
SPHA032 OCT/NOV EXAMINATIONS 2016
Question 1
1.1 Define the following terms:
(a) Space Lattice. (2)
(b) Symmetry element. (2)
(c) Inversion symmetry. (2)
1.2 Use the rotational symmetry elements to compare the symmetry elements for the following 2-D
shapes (figure 1.1).
(a) Equilateral triangle
(b) Square
Which possesses the highest symmetry? Why? (8)
1.3 In the diagram of a 2-D crystal structure (figure 1.2), answer the following:
(i) Indicate the lattice. (1)
(ii) Type of lattice. (1)
(iii) Specify the basis. (2)
(iv) Unit cell. (2)
1.4 Show that the spacing d hkl between (hkl) planes in a cubic lattice is given by
a0
dhkl = (5)
h + k2 + l2
2
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SPHA032 OCT/NOV EXAMINATIONS 2016
Question 2
2.1 Define the term “Zone of planes” and hence state the “Zone law”. (2)
2.2 Show that the Cubic planes (111), (110) and (112) belong to the same zone axis and hence
determine the zone axis for these planes (5)
2.3 Describe the translational and rotational symmetry elements for the primitive orthorhombic lattice
(using a suitable diagram to illustrate your answer). (5)
2.4 Draw (a) 12 1 plane and (b) [211] direction on the cubic lattices given in figure 2.1.
−
(4)
2.5 Derive an expression for the structure factor for the cubic diamond lattice. Use this expression to
calculate the conditions for maximum and minimum x-ray intensities (9)
[25]
Question 3
3.1 Define the following terms:
(a) Equivalent directions. (2)
(b) Form of planes. (2)
3.2 Show that the diffracted x-ray intensity from a cubic crystal will be maximum if and only if, the
vector K is a vector in reciprocal lattice space. (5)
3.3 Platinum is a metal having a face centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure with a density
ρ = 21.45 x 103 kg/m3. Calculate the lattice constant for this crystal as well as the atomic
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SPHA032 OCT/NOV EXAMINATIONS 2016
radius for platinum. (5)
3.4 The figure 3.1 below shows a three dimension a three dimensional cubic crystal structure.
Determine:
(i) The lattice type (1)
(ii) the coordinates of the points A and H (2)
(iii) the directional indices of the directions OA and SK (4)
(iv) The Miller indices of the planes HTBP and PBK (4)
Figure 3.1
[25]
Question 4
4.1 Define the following terms:
(a) Polymorphic substance. (2)
(b) Hexagonal closest packing. (2)
4.2 Consider the cubic diamond crystal:
(a) Define lattice and basis for the cubic diamond crystal structure (4)
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SPHA032 OCT/NOV EXAMINATIONS 2016
(b) Calculate the angle between the tetrahedral bonds of the carbon atoms in the diamond
crystal. (use the cube shown in the figure 4.1) (4)
(c) Calculate the value for the packing coefficient of the diamond structure. (5)
4.3 Derive an expression for the total cohesive energy U T at the equilibrium separation R 0 . Assume
that the crystal contains N molecules (8)
[25]
Question 5
5.1 Define the following terms”
(a) Primitive vector group (2)
(b) Reciprocal lattice space (2)
5.2 In the diagram below a Debye-Sherrer x-ray pattern has been obtained for a cubic metal crystal
using a wavelength of ʎ = 0.154 nm.
(i) Index the first three diffraction lines indicated in the diagram (7)
(ii) What is the lattice type? (1)
(iii) Calculate the a 0 value for this crystal (2)
6.3 Use a suitable diagram to illustrate and explain the production of a Kα 1 characteristic X-ray.
(5)
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SPHA032 OCT/NOV EXAMINATIONS 2016
6.4 Iron (Fe) is a bcc crystal structure, having a cubic lattice constant a 0 = 0.2886 nm. If the iron
crystal is irradiated using CrKα X-rays having wavelength λ = 0.2291 nm determine the indices
(hkl) which will give rise to X-ray intensity maxima. (6)
[25]
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SPHA032 OCT/NOV EXAMINATIONS 2016
NAME:___________________________________________
STUDENT No:___________________________
(To be submitted with your answer scripts)
Figure 1.1 (Question 1.2)
7|Page
SPHA032 OCT/NOV EXAMINATIONS 2016
NAME:____________________________________
STUDENT NO:______________________________
(To be submitted with your answer scripts)
Figure 1.2 (Question 1.3)
8|Page
SPHA032 OCT/NOV EXAMINATIONS 2016
NAME:____________________________________
STUDENT NO:______________________________
(To be submitted with your answer scripts)
Figure 2.4 (a)
Figure 2.4 (b)
9|Page
SPHA032 OCT/NOV EXAMINATIONS 2016
NAME:____________________________________
STUDENT NO:______________________________
(To be submitted with your answer scripts)
Figure 4.1(Question 4.2 (c) and (d))
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SPHA032 OCT/NOV EXAMINATIONS 2016
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