In: Chemistry
C60 Fullerene has a diameter of about 7A. Assume the carbon atom has a diameter of 1.4A. Estimate the maximum size of molecules that can be accommodated inside of the C60.
It is quite simple. Just imagine a football and that is somewhat similar to the C60 Fullerene. Now, you want to fit in another atom/molecule/particle inside this football. So maximum size is going to depend on the distance between one end of football to another end (i.e. the diameter).
Since half of one carbon atom is there on both ends of this football diameter, you will have to subtract that from the size of the entire football.
Let diameter of fullerene = D = 7 A
Let radius of carbon atom = R = 1.4/2 A = 0.7 A
Let the maximum size (diameter) of the molecule that can be fit inside C60 = y
(the black line in between the figure below = y)
It is clear from the figure that,
y = Dfullerene - 2*(Rcarbon atom)
thus, y = 7 - 1.4
therefore, y = 5.6A