The distribution of atomic distances

The use of normal-probability-plot analysis to compare independently determined molecular geometries [De Camp, W. H. (1973). Acta Cryst. A29, 148-150] is justified by a calculation of the distribution of interatomic distances in a crystal structure under some simplifying conditions, which in most cases are at least approximately obeyed. The distribution is shown to be normal to a good approximation in spite of the non-linear transformation applied to the atomic coordinates in calculating the distances.