Krebs's model and Lindemann's melting law

Abstract

Lindemann's melting criterion for cubic metals is examined using Krebs's model for the lattice dynamics of metals by computing the ratio, xm, of the mean square displacement of thermal vibrations and the square of interatomic spacing at the melting temperature for a number of cubic metals belonging to different groups of the periodic table. This ratio has nearly the same value for elements of one particular group, but exhibits wide variation from one group to another. It is concluded that Lindemann's melting law is inadequate.