Homework # 4

Due Sunday 2 November 2014 in class.

1. Briefly explain the difference between self-diffusion and interdiffusion.
Self-diffusion is atomic migration in pure metals--i.e., when all atoms exchanging positions are of the same
type. Interdiffusion is diffusion of atoms of one metal into another metal.

2. Self-diffusion it is not subject to observation by compositional changes, as with

interdiffusion. Suggest one way in which self-diffusion may be monitored.
Self-diffusion may be monitored by using radioactive isotopes of the metal being studied. The motion of
these isotopic atoms may be monitored by measurement of radioactivity level.

3. Compare interstitial and vacancy atomic mechanisms for diffusion.

With vacancy diffusion, atomic motion is from one lattice site to an adjacent vacancy. Self-diffusion and
the diffusion of substitutional impurities proceed via this mechanism. On the other hand, atomic motion is
from interstitial site to adjacent interstitial site for the interstitial diffusion mechanism.

4. Cite two reasons why interstitial diffusion is normally more rapid than vacancy diffusion.
Interstitial diffusion is normally more rapid than vacancy diffusion because: (1) interstitial atoms, being
smaller, are more mobile; and (2) the probability of an empty adjacent interstitial site is greater than for a
vacancy adjacent to a host (or substitutional impurity) atom.

5. Briefly explain the concept of steady state as it applies to diffusion.

Steady-state diffusion is the situation wherein the rate of diffusion into a given system is just equal to the
rate of diffusion out, such that there is no net accumulation or depletion of diffusing species--i.e., the
diffusion flux is independent of time.

Briefly explain the concept of a driving force.

The driving force is that which compels a reaction to occur.
6. What is the driving force for steady-state diffusion?
the concentration gradient.
7. Write Ficks first and second laws in equation form, and state the kind of diffusion for which
each of these equations is normally applied.
Ficks first law is used for the steady state diffusion and is time independent ( not depend on
time )

Where J is the flux ( the rate of mass transfer )

D is the constant ( diffusion coefficient )
And dc/dx is the concentration gradient
Fick's second law predicts how diffusion causes the concentration to change with time
when the system is under non steady state

c/ t= D (2c/ x2 )
Where

is time
is the diffusion coefficien
is the position
c is the concentration

8. How can the mathematics for non-steady state described?

We have boundary conditions as follow
1) Before diffusion any of the diffusing solute atoms in the soild are uniformly distributed with
concentration of C0
2) The value of X at the surface is zero and increased with distance
3) The time is taken to be zero
Time >0 , C=C0 at X=0
For t >0 , C=C0 at X=
So the equation
Cx-C0/CS-C0=1-erf (x/sDT)
9. What can be inferred from the magnitude of the diffusion coefficient?
The magnitude of the diffusion coeffienct D is indicative of the rate at which atoms diffuse .
the diffusing species and the host material influence the diffusion coefficient. It determine

how easily or difficult the atoms can diffuse on other materials. When D is high , that means
that the diffusion can occur difficultly or it needs more time.
10. A sheet of steel 2.5 mm thick has nitrogen atmospheres on both sides at 900 oC and is
permitted to achieve a steady-state diffusion condition. The diffusion coefficient for nitrogen
in steel at this temperature is 1.2 1010 m2/s, and the diffusion flux is found to be 1.0 10 -7
kg/m2- s. Also, it is known that the concentration of nitrogen in the steel at the high-pressure
surface is 2 kg/m3. How far into the sheet from this high pressure side will the concentration
be 0.5 kg/m3? Assume a linear concentration profile. ( steady state diffusion )
T=900 c
D= 1.2 1010 m2/s
J =1.0 10-7 kg/m2- s
C=2 kg/m3
X=0.5 kg/m3
J= -D dc/dx
1.0 10 -7= -1.2 1010

11. What is the effect of the presence of impurities and deviations from stoichiometry on the
diffusion rate of ions in ionic crystals?
The rate of diffusion of these electrically charged couples is limited by the
diffusion rate of the slowest moving species. That is it enhances the diffusion
rate of ions in ionic crystal by several orders of magnitude. Some ionic crystal
may have defects that occur because of the impurities and by deviation from
the stochiometry. These imperfections can affect diffusion in ionic materials
throughout two ways : (1) intrinsic point defects such as Frenkel and schottky
defects whose number depends on temperature, and (2) extrinsic point
defects whose presence is due to impurity ions of different valance than the
host ions.