Calculate the edge length of unit cell if metal having atomic radius 170 pm forms simple cubic unit cell.

Step-by-step solution

In a simple cubic unit cell, atoms are located at the corners and contact each other along the cube edges. This implies the edge length a is equal to twice the atomic radius: a = 2r . Given r = 170 pm , convert to centimeters using 1 pm = 10⁻¹⁰ cm : r = 170 10⁻¹⁰ cm = 1.70 10⁻⁸ cm . Substitute into the relation: a = 2 1.70 10⁻⁸ = 3.40 10⁻⁸ cm . This value corresponds to option B .