Calculate the change in free-energy associated with the formation of a critical spherical nucleus in pure liquid nickel that is 200 ºC under cooled. Properties of Nickel: Heat of Fusion 2660 J/cm3; Surface Energy 255x10-7 J/cm2 ; Freezing Temperature 1453 ºC, Volume Free Energy -728.99 J/cm3
The typical under cooling of nickel for homogenous nucleation is 480 °C. With this amount of under cooling, how many nickel atoms need to group together spontaneously to from a nucleation site? Assume the lattice parameter of solid FCC nickel is 0.356nm.