On the equation of state for solids

Abstract

The problem of the thermodynamics of crystal lattices has been treated by rigorous methods recently in a series of papers by Born and collaborators. In particular, Bradburn succeeded in deriving the equation of state for a solid cubic crystal, consisting of identical atoms, under the assumption that the mutual potential energy of a pair of atoms satisfies a law of the form ɸ = — ar -m + br -n . In the present paper a method is developed which makes it possible to determine the exponents m and n in the force law for a given element from measurements of the sublimation energy, the compressibility, the thermal expansion coefficient, and the dependence of these quantities on pressure and temperature. The method is applied to a large number of elements, and it is shown that the compression and the thermal expansion of these substances, as predicted by the theory, are in satisfactory agreement with the measured values of these quantities up to very high pressure and up to temperatures near the melting-point. The question whether melting is caused by the mechanical instability of the lattice is also investigated, and a certain rule connecting the two phenomena is found which is closely related to Lindemann’s law.