The embedded atom model of molten lead

Abstract

The method for calculating the embedded atom potential for liquid metals from the diffraction structural data close to the melting point was applied to lead at temperatures from 613 to 20000 K. The embedded atom potential parameters were adjusted using the data on the lead structure at 613–1173 K, the thermodynamic properties of lead over the temperature range 613–2000 K, and the results of shock wave experiments. The embedded atom potential and molecular dynamics method allowed the structural characteristics of the liquid metal to be successfully predicted up to 1173 K. The calculated bulk compression modulus at 613 K was close to its actual value. The self-diffusion coefficients along the liquid-vapor equilibrium line increased as the temperature rose following the power law with the exponent close to 2.03. The properties of lead under extremal conditions were calculated up to the temperature 20000 K and density 20.721 g/cm3. At 1000 K and a density of 18.156 g/cm3, close agreement with the experimental pressure (101.5 GPa) was obtained. The potential found fairly well described the properties of crystalline lead. At the same time, the embedded atom potential adjusted to describe the properties of the crystalline phase only poorly described the properties of liquid lead at increased densities.