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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2006  > November  >
In the Classroom
JCE DigiDemos: Tested Demonstrations
Powder Diffraction Simulated by a Polycrystalline Film of Spherical Colloids
Dean J. Campbell
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625

Younan Xia
Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195

checked by George C. Lisensky
Department of Chemistry, Beloit College, Beloit, WI 53511

Cover
November 2006
Vol. 83 No. 11
p. 1638

Abstract
This article describes a simple way to demonstrate powder diffraction in a classroom setting using a dry film of spherical colloids on a glass substrate. Use of transparent, elastomeric poly(dimethylsiloxane) as a supporting substrate for the spheres rather than glass enables demonstration of the reciprocal lattice effect.
Supplement
A spreadsheet for calculating the diameter of the spherical colloids from the first three rings of the diffraction pattern is available.
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Contents
More Information
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Citation
Campbell, Dean. J.; Xia, Younan. J. Chem. Educ. 2006 83 1638.
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Keywords
Analogies / Transfer; Crystals / Crystallography; Demonstrations; First-Year Undergraduate / General; High School / Introductory Chemistry; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Physical Chemistry; Second-Year Undergraduate; X-ray Crystallography
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
9/19/2006
9/20/2006
 Caution! 
Experiments, laboratory exercises, lecture demonstrations, and other descriptions of the use of chemicals, apparatus, instruments, computers, and computer interfaces are presented in the Journal of Chemical Education as illustrative of new or improved ideas or concepts in chemistry instruction and are directed at qualified teachers. Although every effort is made to assure and encourage safe practices and safe use of chemicals, the Journal of Chemical Education cannot assume responsibility for uses made of its published materials. Many chemicals are hazardous. Precautions for the safe use of hazardous chemicals and directions for their proper disposal are described in the Material Safety Data Sheets and on the labels. We strongly urge all those planning to use materials from our pages to make choices and to develop procedures for laboratory and classroom safety in accordance with local needs and situations.
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