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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Solid State  ·  NEET & JEE

A crystal of a compound MX has a NaCl-type structure. The radius of M⁺ = 90 pm. What should be the approximate minimum radius of X⁻ for this structure to be stable?

Answer: 219 pm.

  • A 90 pm
  • B 154 pm
  • C 219 pm
  • D 370 pm

Correct answer: C. 219 pm

Explanation: NaCl structure requires radius ratio r(cation)/r(anion) = 0.414 to 0.732. Minimum: r(M⁺)/r(X⁻) = 0.414; r(X⁻) = 90/0.414 ≈ 217 pm ≈ 219 pm.

Cubic Unit Cells: Atom PositionsSimple CubicCN=6, 52.4% packedBody-Centred (BCC)CN=8, 68% packedFace-Centred (FCC)CN=12, 74% packed (densest)Corner atoms (shared by 8 cells) shown lighter; body/face-centre atoms shown solid

The three cubic unit cells: Simple Cubic has atoms only at corners; Body-Centred adds one atom at the centre; Face-Centred adds one atom at the centre of each of the 6 faces, giving the highest packing efficiency.

Concept context

Explore the ordered world of crystalline solids: unit cells, packing, defects, and how structure determines electrical and magnetic properties.

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