Question
What is the total number of spheres that surrounds the tetrahedral hole in the close-packed three-dimensional structure?
MHT CET
Chemistry
Solid State
2026
MHT CET 2026 (11 April Shift 1)
MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. 2
- B. 4
- C. 6
- D. 8
Answer
B. 4
Step-by-step solution
A tetrahedral void is formed when a sphere of the second layer is placed exactly over the triangular void formed by three spheres of the first layer. Thus, a tetrahedral hole is surrounded by 4 spheres (3 in one layer and 1 in the adjacent layer). The coordination number of a tetrahedral void is 4. Answer: 4
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