Question

In a crystal, the atoms are located at the position of

Answer 1

Position of atoms in a crystal:

• There exist an equilibrium between attractive and repulsive forces between the atoms to make the atom more stable.
• This happens only when the potential energy is minimum.
• So, when two atoms approach each other, the potential energy gradually decreases and reaches a minimum value then sharply increases.
• Hence In a crystal, the atoms are located at the position of minimum potential energy.