Outline the technique used to manipulate the atoms in this way.

The atomic radius of xenon is \(1.36 \times {10^{ - 10}}{\text{ m}}\). Estimate the approximate length, in m, of the “I” in the original IBM image.

physical;

atoms placed in specific positions;

using a scanning tunnelling microscope/STM / atomic/scanning force microscope/AFM/SFM;

Accept “using a scanning probe/device/instrument”.

any value in the range \({10^{ - 9}}-{10^{ - 8}}{\text{ (m)}}\);

Manipulating the atoms using an atomic force microscope was not well known.

With the help of the given diagram some candidates were able to estimate a reasonable length. The range of length accepted in the markscheme was generous.