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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Solid State  ·  NEET & JEE

In a simple cubic unit cell, what fraction of a corner atom belongs to that unit cell?

Answer: 1/8.

  • A 1
  • B 1/2
  • C 1/4
  • D 1/8

Correct answer: D. 1/8

Explanation: A corner atom is shared equally among 8 unit cells, so each cell owns 1/8 of that atom.

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 →