Liquid ammonia: Molecular correlation functions from x-ray diffraction

Abstract

For nearly spherical molecules the x‐ray scattering from liquids yields structure and correlation functions for molecular centers. The distribution of electron density in an ammonia molecular is very nearly spherical, and orientational correlation between molecules in the liquid is not ’’seen’’ by x rays. Structure and correlation functions for molecular centers (nitrogen atoms) are derived from x‐ray data on liquid NH₃ at 4 °C and tabulated. They provide a sensitive test for future work on a molecular theory of liquid ammonia.