[Phys-L] Re: Sizes of atoms

[jbellina <jbellina@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

Seems to me that is the space allotted for each Al atom in the midst of
other Al atoms, but not the size of the Al atom.  I suppose you might
claim that because the metal is relatively incompressible that there is
no extra space so the size of the space is the size of the atom.
However, in a different environment the atom might be even larger.

just a thought,

joe
On Jul 6, 2005, at 6:51 PM, Ludwik Kowalski wrote:

> The average volume per atom can be calculated from the Avogadro number.
> For example, consider 1 cm^3 of Al. The mass is 2.7 grams. This is 0.1
> moles or 6*10^22 atoms. Thus the average volume per atom is
> 1/(6*10^22)=1.67*10^-23 cubic centimeters. It is reasonable to assume
> that the cubic root of that number,  2.6*10-8 cm, represents the size
> of an aluminum atom. But that would be wrong if atoms resembled long
> sticks or strings. A distinction between what is measured and what is
> assumed is important. (The average volume per molecule, such as H2O,
> can be calculated in the same way.)
>
> Ludwik Kowalski
> Let the perfect not be the enemy of the good.
Joseph J. Bellina, Jr. Ph.D.
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
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