MHT CET Medical202623 April 2026Morning ShiftChemistrySolid StateActual
Which of the following exhibits non-stoichiometric metal deficiency?
Options
- AAll metals
- BAlkali metals only
- CTransition metals only
- DAlkaline earth metals only
Correct answer
C. Transition metals only
Step-by-step solution
Metal deficiency defect is a type of non-stoichiometric defect where the number of metal cations is less than the number of anions in the crystal lattice. To maintain electrical neutrality, the missing positive charge is compensated by an adjacent metal ion acquiring a higher oxidation state. This defect can only be shown by metals that exhibit variable valency or multiple oxidation states. Since transition metals are well-known for exhibiting variable oxidation states (e.g., Fe ²⁺ and Fe ³⁺ in FeO , or Ni ²⁺ and N