\[\rho=\frac{nM}{N_Aa^3}\]
Variables
rhodensity of unit cell (kg/m^3)
nnumber of atoms per unit cell
Mmolar mass (kg/mol)
NaAvogadro constant (1/mol)
alattice parameter (m)
Description
What is this formula?
This formula calculates the density of a crystalline unit cell from the number of atoms, molar mass, lattice parameter, and Avogadro constant.
When to use it
Use it when determining the theoretical density of crystalline materials with known crystal structure and lattice dimensions.
Example
Data:
n = 4
M = 0.0635 kg/mol
Na = 6.022e23 1/mol
a = 3.61e-10 m
Formula:
rho = (n*M)/(Na*a^3)
Substitution:
rho = (4*0.0635)/(6.022e23*(3.61e-10)^3)
Result:
rho = 8960 kg/m^3
Applications
Materials science, crystallography, metallurgy, semiconductor analysis, crystal structure characterization, and solid-state physics.