Past exam of the condensed matter physics course of the University of Oxford 2016 1 c ii Solution 2026-10-25
Use the integrated constant-compressibility model from c, with :ThereforeCompression reduces the spacing and moves the same allowed reflection to larger deflection, as the positive pressure derivative predicts. The input compressibility corresponds to a constant bulk modulus GPa in this ideal model.
This is the stipulated unchanged cubic-phase, constant-compressibility extrapolation, rather than a reliable prediction for real Fe at 100 GPa. Real Fe exhibits a pressure-induced body-centered-cubic to hexagonal-close-packed transformation, and compressibility can change with pressure.[ref]
https://journals.aps.org/prb/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevB.78.220101. 2008 primary diffraction study, abstract: pressure-driven structural transformation in Fe
A real high-pressure diffraction interpretation would require its actual phase and equation of state. The source gives neither, so its numerical exercise is answered within its explicitly stated idealization.