Zaymiey

🧪 Chemistry  ·  Solid State  ·  NEET & JEE

For an ionic solid the cation-to-anion radius ratio is 0.55. The predicted coordination number and geometry are:

Answer: 6, octahedral.

  • A 4, tetrahedral
  • B 6, octahedral
  • C 8, cubic
  • D 3, trigonal planar

Correct answer: B. 6, octahedral

Explanation: A radius ratio in the range 0.414 to 0.732 corresponds to a coordination number of 6 and octahedral geometry.

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.

Read the full Solid State notes →