LVI. Scattering of cold neutrons in liquid metals and the entropy of disorder

Abstract

Introducing a varying degree of disorder in Mott's quasi-crystalline model of liquid metals, the change in the cold neutron scattering cross section on melting is calculated. Motts' calculations of the change in electric conductivity on melting have been repeated on the basis of this modified model using more recent data on the latent heat of fusion. It is shown, that the change in the neutron scattering cross section in lead and the change in conductivity in sodium and potassium on melting can be explained if we assume that the entropy of disorder on melting is nearly 0·5R, R being the gas constant. That this value is of the right order of magnitude seems to be corroborated by self-diffusion data.