X-Ray Diffraction Study of Liquid Sodium

Abstract

The x-ray scattering curve for liquid sodium is obtained photographically with Mo Kα radiation, monochromatized by reflection from rocksalt. By a Fourier analysis of the corrected scattering curve, one obtains directly the radial distribution of atoms about any atom in the liquid. The distribution curve shows a first concentration at about 4.0A, followed by a dip at 5.0A, and a second concentration at about 7A. The significance of the curve as giving a picture of a simple monatomic liquid is discussed.