Question

Crystal lattices can be examined with x rays but not UV. Why?

Short answer

UV wavelengths are much larger than X ray wavelengths, which are normally the same order of magnitude as the distance between the lattices. A diffraction pattern cannot be created by incident beams with wavelengths greater than the lattice spacing in a crystal.

Step-by-step solution

Define characteristic x rays

The electromagnetic radiation released by an atom when an inner shell vacancy is filled is known as a characteristic x-ray. When electrons jump from a higher to a lower energy state, these x-ray radiations are emitted by the atom.

Given information 

Given that crystal, lattices can be examined with x-rays but not UV rays.

Determine the conclusion for the question

The reason for this is because whereas x-rays may be used to study crystal lattices, UV rays cannot. The energy of photons is known to be inversely proportional to their wavelength. The wavelength of x rays falls within a range of lattice parameters, whereas the wavelength of UV rays does not. As a result, x-rays are employed instead of UV radiation to examine crystal lattices.

Therefore, the crystal lattices can be examined with x-rays but not UV rays.