Bragg's Law is a fundamental principle in X-ray crystallography that describes the conditions for constructive interference of X-rays scattered by a crystal lattice. The law is mathematically expressed as:
where is an integer (the order of reflection), is the wavelength of the X-rays, is the distance between the crystal planes, and is the angle of incidence. When X-rays hit a crystal at a specific angle, they are scattered by the atoms in the crystal lattice. If the path difference between the waves scattered from successive layers of atoms is an integer multiple of the wavelength, constructive interference occurs, resulting in a strong reflected beam. This principle allows scientists to determine the structure of crystals and the arrangement of atoms within them, making it an essential tool in materials science and chemistry.
Start your personalized study experience with acemate today. Sign up for free and find summaries and mock exams for your university.