Structure of Molten Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba by X-ray Diffraction

X-ray diffraction patterns have been measured on molten alkaline earth metals (Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba) in the temperature range from the melting points to 880 °C. In all cases the structure factors obtained were temperature insensitive. By the usual Fourier transformation of the structure factors, the atomic radial distribution functions were evaluated. From these the interatomic distances and coordination numbers were estimated. The structural information was applied to a discussion of the electron-transport properties using the Ziman theory.