Question

4. Davisson Germer Problem: You are working in a lab developing useful new materials. One characteristic that is very important for materials, particularly for their sensitivity to corrosion, is the structure of the surface. So your boss gives you the challenge of finding out the surface structure of chunks of new material that are being created and analyzed in the lab. You may want to explore some of the simulations we've used in class which are available from the course home page.

a. (short essay) Explain in 2-3 sentences how, using the ideas we have covered in class, you could set up an experimental apparatus to measure the surface structure of the chunks.

b. (short essay) Explain in 2-3 sentences how you would tell if the surface atoms were randomly arranged without any pattern (known by the technical term as amorphous) or if they were arranged in a regular crystalline structure.

c. For surfaces that have crystalline structure, explain how you would determine the spacing D between the atoms in the crystal. Be specific, include the main ideas (use the Davisson Germer simulation to help you better understand the main ideas) and work out the equation you would use to find D

Please explain the asnwers for a-c, not just one part. Thanks!

Answer 1

Early relevance of the Davisson Germer experiment.

Initial atomic models proposed by scientists could only explain the particle nature of electrons but failed to explain the their wave nature. C.J. Davisson and L.H. Germer carried out an experiment, popularly known as the Davisson Germer experiment to explain the wave nature of electrons through electron diffraction.

Experimental setup of the Davisson - Germer Experiment to determine Surface Structure of the Chunk :-