Metal ions in aqueous solution radial distribution function. In contrast to X-ray diffraction, neutrons are scatted by nuclei and there is no relationship with atomic number. Indeed, use can be made of the fact that different isotopes of the same element can have widely different scattering powers. In a classic experiment, measurements were made on four nickel chloride solutions using the combinations of Ni, Ni, Cl and Cl isotopes to yield a very detailed picture of cation and anion solvation. Data for a number of metal salts show some dependence on the salt concentration. Most of these data refer to concentrated solutions in which there
Atomic spacing Atomic spacing Atomic spacing refers to the distance between the nuclei of atoms in a material. This space is extremely large compared to the size of the atomic nucleus, and is related to the chemical bonds which bind atoms together. The spacing between atoms in most ordered solids is on the order of a few ångströms (a few tenths of a nanometer). In very low density gasses (for example, in outer space) the average distance between atoms can be as large as a meter. The atomic spacing of crystalline structures is usually determined by passing an electromagnetic wave of known