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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Solid State  ·  NEET & JEE

A solid has the formula AB₂. If B ions are in FCC arrangement and A ions occupy all octahedral voids, the coordination numbers of A and B are:

Answer: 6 and 3.

  • A 4 and 4
  • B 6 and 3
  • C 8 and 4
  • D 12 and 6

Correct answer: B. 6 and 3

Explanation: If B forms FCC (4 B per cell), there are 4 octahedral voids and A fills all of them. The ratio A:B = 4:4 = 1:2. Each A has CN = 6 (octahedral); each B has CN = 3 (one A has 6 B but the reverse: each B is surrounded by 3 A).

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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