Question

Consider the $bcc$ unit cells of the solids $1$ and $2$ with the position of atoms as shown below. The radius of atom $B$ is twice that of atom $A$. The unit cell edge length is $50\%$ more in solid $2$ than in $1$. What is the approximate packing efficiency in solid $2$ ?

• A. 45%
• B. 65%
• C. 90%
• D. 75%

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

% packing efficiency $=\frac{\text{Vol.occupied by atom}}{\text{Vol. of unit cell}}\times 100=\frac{\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3}{a^3}\times 100$
Let radius of corner atom is r and radius of central atom is 2r
So, $\sqrt{3}a=2\left(2r\right)+2r=6r$
$a=\frac{6r}{\sqrt{3}}=2\sqrt{3}r$
Now
% P.E $=\frac{\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3+\frac{4}{3}\pi {\left(2r\right)}^3}{{\left(2\sqrt{3}r\right)}^3}\times 100$
$=\frac{\frac{4}{3}\pi \left(r^3+8r^3\right)}{8\times 3\sqrt{3}{r}^3}\times 100$
$=\frac{4\pi \times 9r^3}{3\times 8\times 3\sqrt{3}{r}^3}\times 100=90.6\%\approx 90\%$