Question

Which of the following statements is appropriate for Stockbarger method?

(a) Solidification is achieved by passing the melt through a concentration gradient

(b) Solidification is achieved by passing the melt through a temperature gradient

(c) Liquefaction is achieved by passing the melt through a concentration gradient

(d) Liquefaction is achieved by passing the melt through a temperature gradient

The question was asked by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

This interesting question is from Growth of Single Crystals in portion Preparative Methods of Solid State Chemistry

Answer 1

Correct choice is (b) Solidification is achieved by passing the melt through a temperature gradient

To elaborate: Stockbarger method is based on solidification of stoichiometric melt but in these, oriented solidification of the melt is achieved by effectively passing the melt through a temperature gradient such that crystallization occurs at the cooler end. Thus this method is achieved by arranging for a relative displacement of the melt and a temperature gradient.