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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Solid State  ·  NEET & JEE

The number of formula units of NaCl in a unit cell with FCC arrangement of Cl⁻ ions with Na⁺ in octahedral holes is:

Answer: 4.

  • A 1
  • B 2
  • C 4
  • D 8

Correct answer: C. 4

Explanation: FCC Cl⁻: 4 Cl⁻ per unit cell. All octahedral holes occupied by Na⁺: 4 Na⁺ per unit cell. Therefore 4 formula units of NaCl per unit cell.

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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