Chapter 11: Liquids and Solids

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze crystalline solids in terms of unit cell type, coordination number, and packing efficiency
  • Relate cell volume, edge length, and atomic radius
  • Solve problems involving the density of crystalline solids

Over 90% of naturally occurring and man-made solids are crystalline. Most solids form with a regular arrangement of their particles because the overall attractive interactions between particles are maximized, and the total intermolecular energy is minimized, when the particles pack in the most efficient manner. The regular arrangement at an atomic level is often reflected at a macroscopic level. In this section, we will explore some of the details about the structures of metallic and ionic crystalline solids, and learn how these structures are determined experimentally.

The Structures of Metals

We will begin our discussion of crystalline solids by considering elemental metals, which are relatively simple because each contains only one type of atom. A pure metal is a crystalline solid with metal atoms packed closely together in a repeating pattern. Some of the properties of metals in general, such as their malleability and ductility, are largely due to having identical atoms arranged in a regular pattern. The different properties of one metal compared to another partially depend on the sizes of their atoms and the specifics of their spatial arrangements. We will explore the similarities and differences of four of the most common metal crystal geometries in the sections that follow.

Unit Cells of Metals

The structure of a crystalline solid, whether a metal or not, is best described by considering its simplest repeating unit, which is referred to as its unit cell. The unit cell consists of lattice points that represent the locations of atoms or ions. The entire structure then consists of this unit cell repeating in three dimensions, as illustrated in Figure 11.7.1.

Two drawings are given. On the left, a cube is rendered with lattice points at each corner, and unit cells as the sides. On the right, the same cube is shown replicated in grayed out font, to show an infinite network of similar cubes.
Figure 11.7.1. A unit cell shows the locations of lattice points repeating in all directions.

Let us begin our investigation of crystal lattice structure and unit cells with the most straightforward structure and the most basic unit cell. To visualize this, imagine taking a large number of identical spheres, such as tennis balls, and arranging them uniformly in a container. The simplest way to do this would be to make layers in which the spheres in one layer are directly above those in the layer below, as illustrated in Figure 11.7.2. This arrangement is called simple cubic structure, and the unit cell is called the simple cubic unit cell or primitive cubic unit cell.

Three drawings of the same cube from 10.44. On the left, circles are drawn around the lattice points. In the middle, these lattice point circles become brown spheres imposed on the box. On the right, we see the same rendering of infinite boxes as in 10.44.
Figure 11.7.2. When metal atoms are arranged with spheres in one layer directly above or below spheres in another layer, the lattice structure is called simple cubic. Note that the spheres are in contact.

In a simple cubic structure, the spheres are not packed as closely as they could be, and they only “fill” about 52% of the volume of the container. This is a relatively inefficient arrangement, and only one metal (polonium, Po) crystallizes in a simple cubic structure. As shown in Figure 11.7.3, a solid with this type of arrangement consists of planes (or layers) in which each atom contacts only the four nearest neighbors in its layer; one atom directly above it in the layer above; and one atom directly below it in the layer below. The number of other particles that each particle in a crystalline solid contacts is known as its coordination number. For a polonium atom in a simple cubic array, the coordination number is, therefore, six.

Two drawings are shown. On the left, the infinite stack of cubes from 10.44 appears, this time only in black and white. There is heavy emphasis on one lattice point and the lines immediately adjacent to it on the cubic edges. On the right, the same drawing appears, this time with the lattice point in red, and the radiating lines from it labeled 1-6.
Figure 11.7.3. An atom in a simple cubic lattice structure contacts six other atoms, so it has a coordination number of six.

In a simple cubic lattice, the unit cell that repeats in all directions is a cube defined by the centers of eight atoms, as shown in Figure 11.7.4. Atoms at adjacent corners of this unit cell contact each other, so the edge length of this cell is equal to two atomic radii, or one atomic diameter. A cubic unit cell contains only the parts of these atoms that are within it. Since an atom at a corner of a simple cubic unit cell is contained by a total of eight unit cells, only one-eighth of that atom is within a specific unit cell. And since each simple cubic unit cell has one atom at each of its eight “corners,” there is [latex]8 \times \frac{1}{8}=1[/latex] atom within one simple cubic unit cell.

Two drawings are shown. On the left, the cubic unit from 10.45 appears, with spherical grey molecules superimposed over each lattice point, labeled
Figure 11.7.4. A simple cubic lattice unit cell contains one-eighth of an atom at each of its eight corners, so it contains one atom total.

Example 11.7.1: Calculation of Atomic Radius and Density for Metals, Part 1

The edge length of the unit cell of alpha polonium is 336 pm.

  1. Determine the radius of a polonium atom.
  2. Determine the density of alpha polonium.

[reveal-answer q=”132875″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”132875″]

Alpha polonium crystallizes in a simple cubic unit cell:

A diagram shows a cube with a one eighth portion of eight spheres inside the cube, one section in each corner. Along the bottom right side of the cube are two double ended arrows that each stretch along half of the total distance across the cube. Each arrow is labeled “r.”

  1. Two adjacent Po atoms contact each other, so the edge length of this cell is equal to two Po atomic radii: [latex]l=2r[/latex]. Therefore, the radius of Po is [latex]r=\dfrac{\text{l}}{2}=\dfrac{\text{336 pm}}{2}=\text{168 pm}[/latex].
  2. Density is given by [latex]\text{density}=\dfrac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}[/latex]. The density of polonium can be found by determining the density of its unit cell (the mass contained within a unit cell divided by the volume of the unit cell). Since a Po unit cell contains one-eighth of a Po atom at each of its eight corners, a unit cell contains one Po atom.

The mass of a Po unit cell can be found by:

<p style=”text-align: center;”>[latex]\text{1 Po unit cell}\times \dfrac{\text{1 Po atom}}{\text{1 Po unit cell}}\times \dfrac{\text{1 mol Po}}{6.022\times {10}^{23}\text{Po atoms}}\times \dfrac{208.998\text{g}}{\text{1 mol Po}}=3.47\times {10}^{-22}\text{g}[/latex]</p>

The volume of a Po unit cell can be found by:

[latex]V={l}^{3}={(336\times {10}^{-10}\text{cm})}^{3}=3.79\times {10}^{-23}{\text{cm}}^{3}[/latex]

(Note that the edge length was converted from pm to cm to get the usual volume units for density.)

Therefore, the density of [latex]\text{Po}=\dfrac{3.471\times {10}^{-22}\text{g}}{3.79\times {10}^{-23}{\text{cm}}^{3}}={\text{9.16 g/cm}}^{3}[/latex]

[/hidden-answer]

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Most metal crystals are one of the four major types of unit cells. For now, we will focus on the three cubic unit cells: simple cubic (which we have already seen), body-centered cubic unit cell, and face-centered cubic unit cell—all of which are illustrated in Figure 11.7.5. (Note that there are actually seven different lattice systems, some of which have more than one type of lattice, for a total of 14 different types of unit cells. We leave the more complicated geometries for later in this section.)

The first row of drawings is labeled
Figure 11.7.5. Cubic unit cells of metals show (in the upper figures) the locations of lattice points and (in the lower figures) metal atoms located in the unit cell.

Some metals crystallize in an arrangement that has a cubic unit cell with atoms at all of the corners and an atom in the center, as shown in Figure 11.7.6. This is called a body-centered cubic (BCC) solid. Atoms in the corners of a BCC unit cell do not contact each other but contact the atom in the center. A BCC unit cell contains two atoms: one-eighth of an atom at each of the eight corners ( [latex]8\times \frac{1}{8}=1[/latex] atom from the corners) plus one atom from the center. Any atom in this structure touches four atoms in the layer above it and four atoms in the layer below it. Thus, an atom in a BCC structure has a coordination number of eight.

Three drawings appear. On the left is the same drawing of a cubic unit with one red dot in the center, from Figure 10.48. In the middle is the same cube with gray molecules superimposed, with one red molecule in the center, as the bottom row of Figure 10.48. On the left we see the parts of the molecules outside the cube shaved away, and only pieces of the grey molecules and the entire red molecule remaining.
Figure 11.7.6. In a body-centered cubic structure, atoms in a specific layer do not touch each other. Each atom touches four atoms in the layer above it and four atoms in the layer below it.

Atoms in BCC arrangements are much more efficiently packed than in a simple cubic structure, occupying about 68% of the total volume. Isomorphous metals with a BCC structure include K, Ba, Cr, Mo, W, and Fe at room temperature. (Elements or compounds that crystallize with the same structure are said to be isomorphous.)

Many other metals, such as aluminum, copper, and lead, crystallize in an arrangement that has a cubic unit cell with atoms at all of the corners and at the centers of each face, as illustrated in Figure 11.7.7. This arrangement is called a face-centered cubic (FCC) solid. A FCC unit cell contains four atoms: one-eighth of an atom at each of the eight corners ( [latex]8\times \frac{1}{8}=1[/latex] atom from the corners) and one-half of an atom on each of the six faces ([latex]6\times \frac{1}{2}=3[/latex] atoms from the faces). The atoms at the corners touch the atoms in the centers of the adjacent faces along the face diagonals of the cube. Because the atoms are on identical lattice points, they have identical environments.

Three drawings appear. On the left is the same cubic unit with 6 red dots inside, as in Figure 10.48. In the middle is the same cubic unit with spherical molecules superimposed, as in the bottom row of Figure 10.48. On the right the grey molecules that are outside the cube are shaved away, leaving only portions of the grey molecules and six halves of red molecules (since they were split in half).
Figure 11.7.7. A face-centered cubic solid has atoms at the corners and, as the name implies, at the centers of the faces of its unit cells.

Atoms in an FCC arrangement are packed as closely together as possible, with atoms occupying 74% of the volume. This structure is also called cubic closest packing. In CCP, there are three repeating layers of hexagonally arranged atoms. Each atom contacts six atoms in its own layer, three in the layer above, and three in the layer below. In this arrangement, each atom touches 12 near neighbors, and therefore has a coordination number of 12. The fact that FCC and CCP arrangements are equivalent may not be immediately obvious, but why they are actually the same structure is illustrated in Figure 11.7.8.

Three images are shown. In the first image, a side view shows a layer of blue spheres, labeled “C” stacked on top of, and sitting in between the gaps in a second layer that is composed of green spheres, labeled “B,” which are sitting atop a purple layer of spheres labeled “A.” A label below this image reads “Side view.” The second image shows a top view of the same layers of spheres, where the top layer is “C,” the second layer is “B” and the lowest layer is “C.” This image is labeled “Top view” and written under this is the phrase “Cubic closest packed structure.” The third image shows an upper view of the side of a cube composed of two sets of the repeating layers shown in the other images. The layers are arranged “C, B, A, C, B, A, C” and the phrase written under this image reads “Rotated view.”
Figure 11.7.8. A CCP arrangement consists of three repeating layers (ABCABC…) of hexagonally arranged atoms. Atoms in a CCP structure have a coordination number of 12 because they contact six atoms in their layer, plus three atoms in the layer above and three atoms in the layer below. By rotating our perspective, we can see that a CCP structure has a unit cell with a face containing an atom from layer A at one corner, atoms from layer B across a diagonal (at two corners and in the middle of the face), and an atom from layer C at the remaining corner. This is the same as a face-centered cubic arrangement.

Because closer packing maximizes the overall attractions between atoms and minimizes the total intermolecular energy, the atoms in most metals pack in this manner. We find two types of closest packing in simple metallic crystalline structures: CCP, which we have already encountered, and hexagonal closest packing shown in Figure 11.7.9. Both consist of repeating layers of hexagonally arranged atoms. In both types, a second layer (B) is placed on the first layer (A) so that each atom in the second layer is in contact with three atoms in the first layer. The third layer is positioned in one of two ways. In HCP, atoms in the third layer are directly above atoms in the first layer (i.e., the third layer is also type A), and the stacking consists of alternating type A and type B close-packed layers (i.e., ABABAB⋯). In CCP, atoms in the third layer are not above atoms in either of the first two layers (i.e., the third layer is type C), and the stacking consists of alternating type A, type B, and type C close-packed layers (i.e., ABCABCABC⋯). About two–thirds of all metals crystallize in closest-packed arrays with coordination numbers of 12. Metals that crystallize in an HCP structure include Cd, Co, Li, Mg, Na, and Zn, and metals that crystallize in a CCP structure include Ag, Al, Ca, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Pt.

Two images are shown. The first image, labeled “Hexagonal closest packed,” shows seven green spheres arranged in a circular sheet lying atop another sheet that is the same except the spheres are purple. The second sheet is offset just a bit so that the spheres of the top sheet lie in the grooves of the second sheet. Two more alternating green and purple layers of spheres lie below the first pair. The second image shows seven blue spheres, labeled “Layer C,” arranged in a circular sheet laying atop another sheet, labeled “Layer B” that is the same except the spheres are green. The second sheet is offset just a bit so that the spheres of the top sheet lie in the grooves of the second sheet. Two more alternating purple and then blue layers of spheres lie below the first pair. The purple layer is labeled “Layer A” and the phrase written below this image reads “Cubic closest packed.”
Figure 11.7.9. In both types of closest packing, atoms are packed as compactly as possible. Hexagonal closest packing consists of two alternating layers (ABABAB…). Cubic closest packing consists of three alternating layers (ABCABCABC…).

Example 11.7.2: Calculation of Atomic Radius and Density for Metals, Part 2

Calcium crystallizes in a face-centered cubic structure. The edge length of its unit cell is 558.8 pm.

  1. What is the atomic radius of Ca in this structure?
  2. Calculate the density of Ca.

[reveal-answer q=”239853″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”239853″]

Part 1

Two drawings are shown. On the right, "hexagonal closest packed," we see a side view of 4 rows of spheres. The top and third layer are green, while the 2nd and 4th layer are blue. On the right, "cubic closest packed," we see a side view of four rows of spheres. The top and bottom row are blue (top is labeled Layer C). The 2nd row is green, and labeled Layer B. The third row is purple, and labeled Layer A.

In an FCC structure, Ca atoms contact each other across the diagonal of the face, so the length of the diagonal is equal to four Ca atomic radii (d = 4r). Two adjacent edges and the diagonal of the face form a right triangle, with the length of each side equal to 558.8 pm and the length of the hypotenuse equal to four Ca atomic radii:

[latex]{\text{a}}^{2}+{\text{a}}^{2}={\text{d}}^{2}\longrightarrow {(558.8\text{pm})}^{2}+{(558.5\text{pm})}^{2}={(4r)}^{2}[/latex]

Solving this gives [latex]r=\sqrt{\dfrac{{(558.8\text{pm})}^{2}+{(558.5\text{pm})}^{2}}{16}}=\text{197.6 pmg for a Ca radius}[/latex].

Part 2

Density is given by [latex]\text{density}=\dfrac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}[/latex]. The density of calcium can be found by determining the density of its unit cell: for example, the mass contained within a unit cell divided by the volume of the unit cell. A face-centered Ca unit cell has one-eighth of an atom at each of the eight corners [latex]\left(8\times \dfrac{1}{8}=1\text{ atom}\right)[/latex] and one-half of an atom on each of the six faces [latex]\left(6\times \dfrac{1}{2}=3\text{ atoms}\right)[/latex], for a total of four atoms in the unit cell.

The mass of the unit cell can be found by:

[latex]\text{1 Ca unit cell}\times \dfrac{\text{4 Ca atoms}}{\text{1 Ca unit cell}}\times \dfrac{\text{1 mol Ca}}{6.022\times {10}^{23}\text{Ca atoms}}\times \dfrac{40.078\text{g}}{\text{1 mol Ca}}=2.662\times {10}^{-22}\text{g}[/latex]

The volume of a Ca unit cell can be found by:

[latex]V={a}^{3}={(558.8\times {10}^{-10}\text{cm})}^{3}=1.745\times {10}^{-22}{\text{cm}}^{3}[/latex]

(Note that the edge length was converted from pm to cm to get the usual volume units for density.)

Then, the density of [latex]\text{Ca}=\dfrac{2.662\times {10}^{-22}\text{g}}{1.745\times {10}^{-22}{\text{cm}}^{3}}={\text{1.53 g/cm}}^{3}[/latex]

[/hidden-answer]

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In general, a unit cell is defined by the lengths of three axes (a, b, and c) and the angles (α, β, and γ) between them, as illustrated in Figure 11.7.10. The axes are defined as being the lengths between points in the space lattice. Consequently, unit cell axes join points with identical environments.

A drawing of a cubic unit is shown, with lattice points. The planes of the cube's surface are labeled a, b, and c. A circle of arrows appears around one lattice point, labeled (α, β, and γ).
Figure 11.7.10. A unit cell is defined by the lengths of its three axes (a, b, and c) and the angles (α, β, and γ) between the axes.

There are seven different lattice systems, some of which have more than one type of lattice, for a total of fourteen different unit cells, which have the shapes shown in Figure 11.7.11.

A table of 7 rows, with two columns titled System/Axes/Angles and Unit Cells.
Figure 11.7.11. There are seven different lattice systems and 14 different unit cells.

The Structures of Ionic Crystals

Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.

Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite charge and (2) when the cations and anions are in contact with each other. Structures are determined by two principal factors: the relative sizes of the ions and the ratio of the numbers of positive and negative ions in the compound.

An image shows a top-view of a layer of blue spheres arranged in a sheet lying atop another sheet that is the same except the spheres are green. The second sheet is offset just a bit so that the spheres of the top sheet lie in the grooves of the second sheet. A third sheet composed of purple spheres lies at the bottom. The spaces created between the spheres in each layer are labeled “Octahedral holes” and “Tetrahedral holes.”
Figure 11.7.12. Cations may occupy two types of holes between anions: octahedral holes or tetrahedral holes.

In simple ionic structures, we usually find the anions, which are normally larger than the cations, arranged in a closest-packed array. (As seen previously, additional electrons attracted to the same nucleus make anions larger and fewer electrons attracted to the same nucleus make cations smaller when compared to the atoms from which they are formed.) The smaller cations commonly occupy one of two types of hole (or interstices) remaining between the anions. The smaller of the holes is found between three anions in one plane and one anion in an adjacent plane. The four anions surrounding this hole are arranged at the corners of a tetrahedron, so the hole is called a tetrahedral hole. The larger type of hole is found at the center of six anions (three in one layer and three in an adjacent layer) located at the corners of an octahedron; this is called an octahedral hole. Figure 11.7.12 illustrates both of these types of holes.

Depending on the relative sizes of the cations and anions, the cations of an ionic compound may occupy tetrahedral or octahedral holes, as illustrated in Figure 11.7.13. Relatively small cations occupy tetrahedral holes, and larger cations occupy octahedral holes. If the cations are too large to fit into the octahedral holes, the anions may adopt a more open structure, such as a simple cubic array. The larger cations can then occupy the larger cubic holes made possible by the more open spacing.

Three lattice cube drawings are given. On the left, the bottom left cubic unit has green lattice points, with all other cubes having purple ones (labeled Tetrahedral hole). In the middle, lattice points are either green or orange, on a diagonal line (labeled octahedral hole). On the right, all lattice points are purple, labeled Cubic hole.
Figure 11.7.13. A cation’s size and the shape of the hole occupied by the compound are directly related.

There are two tetrahedral holes for each anion in either an HCP or CCP array of anions. A compound that crystallizes in a closest-packed array of anions with cations in the tetrahedral holes can have a maximum cation:anion ratio of 2:1; all of the tetrahedral holes are filled at this ratio. Examples include Li2O, Na2O, Li2S, and Na2S. Compounds with a ratio of less than 2:1 may also crystallize in a closest-packed array of anions with cations in the tetrahedral holes, if the ionic sizes fit. In these compounds, however, some of the tetrahedral holes remain vacant.

Example 11.7.3: Occupancy of Tetrahedral Holes

Zinc sulfide is an important industrial source of zinc and is also used as a white pigment in paint. Zinc sulfide crystallizes with zinc ions occupying one-half of the tetrahedral holes in a closest-packed array of sulfide ions. What is the formula of zinc sulfide?
[reveal-answer q=”33062″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”33062″]
Because there are two tetrahedral holes per anion (sulfide ion) and one-half of these holes are occupied by zinc ions, there must be [latex]\frac{1}{2}\times 2[/latex], or 1, zinc ion per sulfide ion. Thus, the formula is ZnS.
[/hidden-answer]

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The ratio of octahedral holes to anions in either an HCP or CCP structure is 1:1. Thus, compounds with cations in octahedral holes in a closest-packed array of anions can have a maximum cation:anion ratio of 1:1. In NiO, MnS, NaCl, and KH, for example, all of the octahedral holes are filled. Ratios of less than 1:1 are observed when some of the octahedral holes remain empty.

Example 11.7.4: Stoichiometry of Ionic Compounds

Sapphire is aluminum oxide. Aluminum oxide crystallizes with aluminum ions in two-thirds of the octahedral holes in a closest-packed array of oxide ions. What is the formula of aluminum oxide?
[reveal-answer q=”721728″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”721728″]
Because there is one octahedral hole per anion (oxide ion) and only two-thirds of these holes are occupied, the ratio of aluminum to oxygen must be [latex]\frac{2}{3}[/latex] :1, which would give [latex]{\text{Al}}_{2\text{/}3}\text{O}[/latex]. The simplest whole number ratio is 2:3, so the formula is Al2O3.
[/hidden-answer]

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In a simple cubic array of anions, there is one cubic hole that can be occupied by a cation for each anion in the array. In CsCl, and in other compounds with the same structure, all of the cubic holes are occupied. Half of the cubic holes are occupied in SrH2, UO2, SrCl2, and CaF2.

Different types of ionic compounds often crystallize in the same structure when the relative sizes of their ions and their stoichiometries (the two principal features that determine structure) are similar.

Unit Cells of Ionic Compounds

Many ionic compounds crystallize with cubic unit cells, and we will use these compounds to describe the general features of ionic structures.

When an ionic compound is composed of cations and anions of similar size in a 1:1 ratio, it typically forms a simple cubic structure. Cesium chloride, CsCl, (illustrated in Figure 11.7.14) is an example of this, with Cs+ and Cl− having radii of 174 pm and 181 pm, respectively. We can think of this as chloride ions forming a simple cubic unit cell, with a cesium ion in the center; or as cesium ions forming a unit cell with a chloride ion in the center; or as simple cubic unit cells formed by Cs+ ions overlapping unit cells formed by Cl− ions. Cesium ions and chloride ions touch along the body diagonals of the unit cells. One cesium ion and one chloride ion are present per unit cell, giving the l:l stoichiometry required by the formula for cesium chloride. Note that there is no lattice point in the center of the cell, and CsCl is not a BCC structure because a cesium ion is not identical to a chloride ion.

Three drawings are shown. On the left is an infinite cubical unit rendering, with the bottom left cube containing one red dot in its center. In the middle, this one cube appears, with the lattice points as large purple spheres. The central molecule is smaller, and green. On the right, a cube stack of purple spheres appears, with small green spheres in between showing on one side.
Figure 11.7.14. Ionic compounds with similar-sized cations and anions, such as CsCl, usually form a simple cubic structure. They can be described by unit cells with either cations at the corners or anions at the corners.

We have said that the location of lattice points is arbitrary. This is illustrated by an alternate description of the CsCl structure in which the lattice points are located in the centers of the cesium ions. In this description, the cesium ions are located on the lattice points at the corners of the cell, and the chloride ion is located at the center of the cell. The two unit cells are different, but they describe identical structures.

When an ionic compound is composed of a 1:1 ratio of cations and anions that differ significantly in size, it typically crystallizes with an FCC unit cell, like that shown in Figure 11.7.15. Sodium chloride, NaCl, is an example of this, with Na+ and Cl− having radii of 102 pm and 181 pm, respectively. We can think of this as chloride ions forming an FCC cell, with sodium ions located in the octahedral holes in the middle of the cell edges and in the center of the cell. The sodium and chloride ions touch each other along the cell edges. The unit cell contains four sodium ions and four chloride ions, giving the 1:1 stoichiometry required by the formula, NaCl.

Three images are shown. The first image shows a cube with black dots at each corner and a red dot in the center. This cube is stacked with seven others that are not colored to form a larger cube. The second image is composed of eight spheres that are grouped together to form a cube with one much larger sphere in the center. The name under this image reads “Body-centered simple cubic structure.” The third image shows seven horizontal layers of alternating purple and green spheres that are slightly offset with one another and form a large cube.
Figure 11.7.15. Ionic compounds with anions that are much larger than cations, such as NaCl, usually form an FCC structure. They can be described by FCC unit cells with cations in the octahedral holes.

The cubic form of zinc sulfide, zinc blende, also crystallizes in an FCC unit cell, as illustrated in Figure 11.7.16. This structure contains sulfide ions on the lattice points of an FCC lattice. (The arrangement of sulfide ions is identical to the arrangement of chloride ions in sodium chloride.) The radius of a zinc ion is only about 40% of the radius of a sulfide ion, so these small Zn2+ ions are located in alternating tetrahedral holes, that is, in one half of the tetrahedral holes. There are four zinc ions and four sulfide ions in the unit cell, giving the empirical formula ZnS.

Two drawings appear. On the left, an infinite cubic structure is rendered, with the bottom left cube containing six red dots. On the right, this one cube is magnified, and yellow dots appear at random intervals on the edges and inside the cube, to represent lattice points.
Figure 11.7.16. ZnS, zinc sulfide (or zinc blende) forms an FCC unit cell with sulfide ions at the lattice points and much smaller zinc ions occupying half of the tetrahedral holes in the structure.

A calcium fluoride unit cell, like that shown in Figure 11.7.17, is also an FCC unit cell, but in this case, the cations are located on the lattice points; equivalent calcium ions are located on the lattice points of an FCC lattice. All of the tetrahedral sites in the FCC array of calcium ions are occupied by fluoride ions. There are four calcium ions and eight fluoride ions in a unit cell, giving a calcium:fluorine ratio of l:2, as required by the chemical formula, CaF2. Close examination of Figure 11.7.17 will reveal a simple cubic array of fluoride ions with calcium ions in one half of the cubic holes. The structure cannot be described in terms of a space lattice of points on the fluoride ions because the fluoride ions do not all have identical environments. The orientation of the four calcium ions about the fluoride ions differs.

Two drawings appear. On the left is an infinite cubic structure rendering, with the bottom left cube containing six red dots. On the right, this one cube is magnified to show many green spheres, at the corners of the cube and in the interior. All are connected with lines. Labeled CaF2 face-centered unit cell.
Figure 11.7.17. Calcium fluoride, CaF2, forms an FCC unit cell with calcium ions (green) at the lattice points and fluoride ions (red) occupying all of the tetrahedral sites between them.

Calculation of Ionic Radii

If we know the edge length of a unit cell of an ionic compound and the position of the ions in the cell, we can calculate ionic radii for the ions in the compound if we make assumptions about individual ionic shapes and contacts.

Example 11.7.5: Calculation of Ionic Radii

The edge length of the unit cell of LiCl (NaCl-like structure, FCC) is 0.514 nm or 5.14 Å. Assuming that the lithium ion is small enough so that the chloride ions are in contact, as in Figure 11.7.15, calculate the ionic radius for the chloride ion.

Note: The length unit angstrom, Å, is often used to represent atomic-scale dimensions and is equivalent to 10−10 m.
[reveal-answer q=”213140″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”213140″]

On the face of a LiCl unit cell, chloride ions contact each other across the diagonal of the face:

Three images are shown. The first shows a cube of alternating green and purple spheres. A smaller cube within that cube is outlined and a larger version of it appears next. This figure is a grey cube that appears to be made up of spheres. There are small spaces between each sphere. There is a right triangle outlined in this cube and a larger version of it appears next. This right triangle has two sides labeled “a,” and the hypotenuse, which spans two half-circles and one full one is labeled, “r, 2 r, and r.”

Drawing a right triangle on the face of the unit cell, we see that the length of the diagonal is equal to four chloride radii (one radius from each corner chloride and one diameter—which equals two radii—from the chloride ion in the center of the face), so d = 4r. From the Pythagorean theorem, we have:

[latex]{\text{a}}^{2}+{\text{a}}^{2}={\text{d}}^{2}[/latex]

which yields:

[latex]\left(0.514\text{ nm}\right)^{2}+\left(0.514\text{ nm}\right)^{2}={\left(4r\right)}^{2}=16{r}^{2}[/latex]

Solving this gives:

[latex]r=\sqrt{\dfrac{{(0.514\text{nm})}^{2}+{(0.514\text{nm})}^{2}}{16}}=\text{0.182 nm}[/latex] (1.82 Å) for a Cl− radius

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It is important to realize that values for ionic radii calculated from the edge lengths of unit cells depend on numerous assumptions, such as a perfect spherical shape for ions, which are approximations at best. Hence, such calculated values are themselves approximate and comparisons cannot be pushed too far. Nevertheless, this method has proved useful for calculating ionic radii from experimental measurements such as X-ray crystallographic determinations.

Key Concepts and Summary

The structures of crystalline metals and simple ionic compounds can be described in terms of packing of spheres. Metal atoms can pack in hexagonal closest-packed structures, cubic closest-packed structures, body-centered structures, and simple cubic structures. The anions in simple ionic structures commonly adopt one of these structures, and the cations occupy the spaces remaining between the anions. Small cations usually occupy tetrahedral holes in a closest-packed array of anions. Larger cations usually occupy octahedral holes. Still larger cations can occupy cubic holes in a simple cubic array of anions. The structure of a solid can be described by indicating the size and shape of a unit cell and the contents of the cell.

Try It

  1. Tungsten crystallizes in a body-centered cubic unit cell with an edge length of 3.165 Å.
    1. What is the atomic radius of tungsten in this structure?
    2. Calculate the density of tungsten.
  2. Platinum (atomic radius = 1.38 Å) crystallizes in a cubic closely packed structure. Calculate the edge length of the face-centered cubic unit cell and the density of platinum.

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1. (a) In a body-centered cubic unit cell, the metal atoms are in contact along the interior diagonal of the cube. The interior diagonal forms a right triangle with the unit cell edge and the diagonal of the face. Use the Pythagorean theorem to determine the length of the diagonal, d, on the face of the cube in terms of the edge, e.

d2 = e2 + e2 = 2e2

d = [latex]\sqrt{2}[/latex] e

The interior diagonal of the cube is the length of four atomic radii and can be calculated again by using the Pythagorean theorem and the face diagonal and edge.

[latex]\begin{array}{rll}\left(\text{diagonal}\right)^2&=&d^2+e^2 \\ &=& \left(\sqrt{2} e\right)+e^2 \\ &=& 2e^2+e^2 \\ &=&3e^2 \\ \text{diagonal}&=&\sqrt{3}e=4r\end{array}[/latex]

radius of tungsten = [latex]\frac{\text{diagonal}}{4}=\frac{\sqrt{3}e}{4}=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}\left(3.165\mathring{\text{A}}\right)=1.370\mathring{\text{A}}[/latex];

(b) Given the body-centered cubic structure, each unit cell contains two atoms. Use the unit cell edge length to calculate the unit cell volume and the volume occupied by each atom. Multiply to obtain the molar volume and divide the atomic mass by this value to obtain density (e = edge length):

V(cell) = e3 = (3.165 [latex]\times[/latex] 10−8 cm)3 = 3.170 [latex]\times[/latex] 10−23 cm3

V(atom) = [latex]\frac{3.170\times {10}^{-23}{\text{cm}}^{3}}{\text{2 atoms}}=1.585\times {10}^{-23}{\text{cm}}^{3}{\text{atom}}^{-1}[/latex]

V(mol) = 1.585 [latex]\times[/latex] 10−23 cm3/atom [latex]\times[/latex] 6.022 [latex]\times[/latex] 1023 atoms/mol

= 9.546 cm3/mol

density = [latex]\frac{183.85{\text{g mol}}^{-1}}{9.546{\text{cm}}^{3}{\text{mol}}^{-1}}[/latex] = 19.26 g/cm

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Glossary

body-centered cubic (BCC) solid: crystalline structure that has a cubic unit cell with lattice points at the corners and in the center of the cell

body-centered cubic unit cell: simplest repeating unit of a body-centered cubic crystal; it is a cube containing lattice points at each corner and in the center of the cube

coordination number: number of atoms closest to any given atom in a crystal or to the central metal atom in a complex

cubic closest packing (CCP): crystalline structure in which planes of closely packed atoms or ions are stacked as a series of three alternating layers of different relative orientations (ABC)

face-centered cubic (FCC) solid: crystalline structure consisting of a cubic unit cell with lattice points on the corners and in the center of each face

face-centered cubic unit cell: simplest repeating unit of a face-centered cubic crystal; it is a cube containing lattice points at each corner and in the center of each face

hexagonal closest packing (HCP): crystalline structure in which close packed layers of atoms or ions are stacked as a series of two alternating layers of different relative orientations (AB)

hole: (also, interstice) space between atoms within a crystal

isomorphous: possessing the same crystalline structure

octahedral hole: open space in a crystal at the center of six particles located at the corners of an octahedron

simple cubic unit cell: (also, primitive cubic unit cell) unit cell in the simple cubic structure

simple cubic structure: crystalline structure with a cubic unit cell with lattice points only at the corners

space lattice: all points within a crystal that have identical environments

tetrahedral hole: tetrahedral space formed by four atoms or ions in a crystal

unit cell: smallest portion of a space lattice that is repeated in three dimensions to form the entire lattice

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