Fourier Analysis of X-Ray Scattering from Polyatomic Liquids

Abstract

It is shown that the Fourier integral analysis of x-ray scattering for liquids with polyatomic molecules containing like atoms may be simplified if the x-ray diffraction curve is corrected by subtraction of the gas scattering of the single molecules before the analysis is made. The method is tested by an analysis of Katzoff's data for benzene. The distribution function obtained indicates that a given molecule is surrounded by six neighbors in the plane of the benzene ring, with a mean separation of centers of about 6.7A. The neighbors of a given molecule are oriented with respect to the molecule. The parallel planes of flat molecules are separated by a distance of 3.7A. The structure is very similar to the crystal structure of hexamethyl benzene.