What is coordination number? What is its significance?

1.	What is coordination number? What is its significance?
Answer» (1) Coordination number : The number of the closest neighbouring constituent particles like atoms, ions or molecules which are in contact with a particular particle or an atom in the crystal lattice is called coordination number of that particle. (In the crystal lattice, all atoms may have same or different coordination numbers.) (2) The magnitude of the coordination number is a measure of compactness of spheres in close-packed structures. (3) The higher the coordination number, the closer are the spheres to each other.

Answer»

(1) Coordination number : The number of the closest neighbouring constituent particles like atoms, ions or molecules which are in contact with a particular particle or an atom in the crystal lattice is called coordination number of that particle.

(In the crystal lattice, all atoms may have same or different coordination numbers.)

(2) The magnitude of the coordination number is a measure of compactness of spheres in close-packed structures.

(3) The higher the coordination number, the closer are the spheres to each other.

Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions

The number of equidistant oppositely charged ions in a sodium chloride crystal is..........(A) 8(B) 6(C) 4(D) 2
The number of unit cells in 58.5 g of NaCl is nearly ........(A) 6 \(\times\) 1020(B) 3 \(\times\) 1022(C) 1.5 \(\times\)1023(D) 0.5 \(\times\) 1024
The number of unit cells in 58.5 g of NaCl is nearly...........(A) 6 ×1020(B) 3×1022(C) 1.5×1023(D) 0.5×1024
Define the following: (i) Schottky defect (ii) Frenkel defect (iii) F-centre
Examine the given defective crystal :Answer the following questions : (i) Is the above defect stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric ? (ii) Write the term used for this type of defect. Give an example of the compound which shows this type of defect.(iii) How does this defect affect the density of the crystal ?
The number of atoms or molecules contained in one face centered cubic unit cell of a monoatomic substance is .......(A) 1(B) 2(C) 4(D) 6
If the number of atoms per unit in a crystal is 2, the structure of crystal is ...........(A) octahedral(B) body centered cubic(C) face centered cubic(D) simple cubic
Explain the following terms with suitable examples : Ferromagnetism and Ferrimagnetism.
A metallic element crystallises into a lattice having a ABC ABC ... pattern and packing of spheres leaves out voids in the lattice. What type of structure is formed by this arrangement.
A metallic element crystallises into a lattice having a pattern of AB AB ... and packing of spheres leaves out voids in the lattice. What type of structure is formed by this arrangement ?