EaseMyChemistry.

Atomic Radius

Atomic radius is a measure of atomic size. There are three different ways in which atomic radius can be calculated; covalent radius, metallic radius, and Vander Waal radius. The atomic radius is calculated using X-ray diffraction method.

Applications of Atomic Radius:

• The atomic radius finds application in the field of material science.
• One of the important applications of the atomic radius is in interstitial compounds such as transition metal borides, nitrides, and carbides.
• Transition metal atoms can be spherically packed with smaller atoms, such as carbon, nitrogen, boron, etc., in their octahedral or tetrahedral interstices or voids.
• The ratio of the atomic radius of the smaller atom to that of the transition metal is important for predicting the stability of a transition metal boride, carbide, etc.
• Transition metal borides are ultra-high-temperature ceramics that can be used in hypersonic vehicles such as spacecraft. When a spacecraft from space reenters the earth's atmosphere, it gets heated up to a very high temperature of 1700°C; therefore, ultra-high temperature ceramic is needed to withstand that temperature.
• A hypersonic vehicle can travel four times faster than the speed of sound and helps launch a satellite at a low cost.
• The transition metal carbide is used as a hard coating to protect the surface of cutting tools from wear and erosion, resulting in their extended life.