1. Tardigrade
  2. Question
  3. Chemistry
  4. In diamond, each carbon atom is bonded to four other carbon atoms tetrahedrally. The number of carbon atoms per unit cell is

Question Error Report

Thank you for reporting, we will resolve it shortly

Back to Question

Q. In diamond, each carbon atom is bonded to four other carbon atoms tetrahedrally. The number of carbon atoms per unit cell is

The Solid State

Solution:

Structure of diamond can be visualised as an $f.c.c.$ arrangement of carbon atoms in which carbon atoms are also present in alternate tetrahedral sites. In such a way each carbon atom has a $C.N$. of $4$.
No. of atoms per unit cell.
$ = 8\times \frac{1}{8} + 6 \times \frac{1}{2} +4 \times 1$
$ = 1 + 3 + 4 = 8$
(Eight corners, six face centres and half of the $8$ tetrahedral sites)