Abstract
The influence of two extreme types of lattice distortions on the X‐ray diagram is demonstrated with the help of a simple one‐dimensional model. In the first type the displacements of the lattice points from their original positions are mutually independent, while in the second type of distortion a similar independence applies to the distance between successive lattice points. This second type gives rise to a broadening of reflexions, while the first does not.The theory is further applied to a special type of lattice, viz. that where two lattice periods occur in statistical succession. This type of lattice may occur in many compounds. It is shown that it gives rise to a single interference at a Bragg angle corresponding to the average period defined by equation (17). In other words, the reflexion shows a continuous shift with varying amounts of the two components in the compound; a result which is, for instance, applicable to several examples of “intramicellar swelling”.