Chemistry Question | Help Plz!!

[:Lively]

:SOk question on buckminsterfullere, and websites you could post would be great thanks!!

How did the scientists confirm the formula C60 and that the shape of the molecule was similar to a football?

I just can't find the answer anywhere! :S

(+rep)

thanks

[Jazza]

buckminsterfullerene*

They would have used a mass spectrometer. If you need more than that I could consult my A-level textbook.

[:Lively]

well any extra information would be great, tis coursework afterall

[Jazza]

If it's coursework you'll need to put in how they do it then.

The process of determining a solid's structure using a mass spectrometer is called X-Ray diffraction.

The following is Copied from 'Nuffield Advanced Chemistry Student's book' (A-Level) so you'll need to re-word it and add it to your bibliography if you want to use it.

When a beam of X-Rays of one particular wavelangth, that is a monochromatic beam, falls on a crytalline solid the X-Rays are scattered in an orderly manner. This scattering is known as diffraction and gives rise to a diffraction pattern, which can be recorded electronically.


The following is an image from Wikipedia, add it to your bibliography if you want to use it.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/X_ray_diffraction.png