The structure factor for liquid metals II. Results for liquid Zn, Tl, Pb, Sn and Bi

Abstract

The structure factors for four liquid metals (Zn, Tl, Sn and Bi) at temperatures close to the melting point have been determined by means of neutron diffraction and the data used to calculate the total correlation functions. In addition a detailed study has been made of liquid Pb as a function of temperature. Data are given for the structure factors, the total correlation functions and the direct correlation functions at four temperatures in the range 340 °c to 1100 °c. The total and direct correlation functions were used in the Percus-Yevick and hyper-netted chain equations to calculate the interionic potential. The structure factors were applied to the Ziman theory of electron transport in liquid metals. It is shown that the predicted temperature dependence of resistivity and thermoelectric power is in good agreement with experiment.