Linear and Planar Atomic Densities

Linear Density:
Directional equivalency is related to the atomic linear density in the
sense that equivalent directions have identical linear densities.
The direction vector is positioned so as to pass through atom centers.
The fraction of line length intersected by these atoms is equal to the
linear density.

Planar Density:
Crystallographic planes that are equivalent have the same atomic planar
density. The plane of interest is positioned so as to pass through atom
centers.
Planar density is the fraction of total crystallographic plane area that is
occupied by atoms.

Linear and planar densities are one- and two-dimensional

analogs of the atomic packing factor.
Chapter 3 -

FCC: Linear Density

Linear Density of Atoms LD =
[110]

a
Adapted from
Fig. 3.1(a),
Callister &
Rethwisch 8e.

Number of atoms
Unit length of direction vector

ex: linear density of Al in [110]

direction
a = 0.405 nm

# atoms

LD
length

2
2a

3.5 nm1

Chapter 3 - 2

P 3.53 (a): Linear Density for BCC

Calculate the linear density for the

following directions in terms of R:
a. [100]
b. [110]
c. [111]

Chapter 3 -

Planar Density of (100) Iron

Solution: At T < 912C iron has the BCC structure.
2D repeat unit

(100)

Planar Density =
area
2D repeat unit

1
a2

1
4 3
3

4 3
R
3

Radius of iron R = 0.1241 nm

Adapted from Fig. 3.2(c), Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

atoms
2D repeat unit

atoms
atoms
19
= 1.2 x 10
2 = 12.1
2
nm
m2
Chapter 3 - 4

P 3.55 (a): Planar Density for BCC

Derive the planar density expressions for BCC (100) and

(110) planes in terms of the atomic radius R.

Chapter 3 -

Planar Density of BCC (111) Iron

Solution (cont): (111) plane

1 atom in plane/ unit surface cell

2a

atoms in plane

nit

atoms above plane

r ep

ea

tu

atoms below plane

2D

4 3
area 2 ah 3 a 3
R
3

atoms
2D repeat unit

Planar Density =
area
2D repeat unit

1
16 3
3

atoms =
= 7.0
2
R

3
a
2

nm

16 3 2
R
3

0.70 x 1019

atoms
m2

Chapter 3 - 6

P 3.54 (a): FCC

Derive planar density expressions for FCC (100), (110),

and (111) planes.
Chapter 3 -

P 3.56

3.56 (a) Derive the planar density expression for the HCP
(0001) plane in terms of the atomic radius R.
(b) Compute the planar density value for this same
plane for magnesium. (atomic radius for magnesium is
0.160 nm)

Chapter 3 - 8