Atoms of electrons B form hcp lattice and those of the element A occupy 2/3 rd of tetrahedral voids. What is the formula of the compound formed by the elements A and B?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
Given that the atoms of \(B\) forms hcp lattice. So, the atoms at the corners are shared by \(6\) unit cells. So, its contribution is \(\frac{1}{6}\)th, fcc contributes \(1\) atom each.
So effective number of atoms in the unit cell
\(= \frac{1}{6} × 12 + \frac{1}{2} × 2 + 1 × 3\)
\(= 2 + 1 + 3 = 6\)
Number of tetrahedral voids
\(= 2 × \text{Number of atoms forming the lattice}\)
\(= 2 × 6 = 12\)
So, the number of atoms of A
\(\frac{2}{3} × 12 = 8\)
Number of atoms of B \(= 6\)
So, \(A : B ⇒ 8 : 6\)
or, \(A : B = 4 : 3\)
So, the formula of the compound is \(A_4B_3\)