Question:
Silver crystallises in fcc lattice. If edge length of the cell is 4.07 × 10−8 cm and density is 10.5 g cm−3, calculate the atomic mass of silver.
Solution:
It is given that the edge length, a = 4.077 × 10−8 cm
Density, d = 10.5 g cm−3
As the lattice is fcc type, the number of atoms per unit cell, z = 4
We also know that, NA = 6.022 × 1023 mol−1
Using the relation:
$d=\frac{z \mathrm{M}}{a^{3} \mathrm{~N}_{\mathrm{A}}}$
$\Rightarrow \mathrm{M}=\frac{d a^{3} \mathrm{~N}_{\mathrm{A}}}{z}$
$=\frac{10.5 \mathrm{gcm}^{-3} \times\left(4.077 \times 10^{-8} \mathrm{~cm}\right)^{3} \times 6.022 \times 10^{23} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}}{4}$
= 107.13 gmol−1
Therefore, atomic mass of silver = 107.13 u