Question

Sketch possible interatomic potentials as a function of interatomic separation for two materials A and B. Material A has a high melting temperature and vaporization temperature and a high elastic modulus. Material B has a low melting and vaporization temperature and a low elastic modulus.

Answer 1

Material A = high elastic modulus and high melting temperature

Material B = low elastic modulus and low melting temperature

Explanation:

For material A, there is a high curvature to the inter-atomic potential, this is because of the strong nature of chemical bonding that exists in the material, and it takes a larger force for the change interatomic separation, which results in high elastic modulus and high melting temperature.

For material B, there is a short curvature to the interatomic potential, this is because of the wet nature of chemical bonding, and consequently, a much smaller force is needed for the change interatomic separation, which results in low elastic modulus and low melting temperature.