Question

1. Two elements A and B form a crystalline compound where the B atoms are arranged in a
hexagonal close-packed structure. If half of the octahedral holes are occupied by A atoms
what is the probable formula of the compound ?​

Answer 1

Answer:

Let, the number of atoms of A be N.

So, the number of octahedral voids is N.

The number of tetrahedral voids is 2N.

i) There will be one atom of B in the octahedral void.

ii) There will be one atom of B in the tetrahedral void (

2

1

×2N).

Total 2 atoms of B for each atom of A.

Therefore, the formula of the compound is AB

2

.