Question

Potassium crystallizes in a body-centered cubic lattice with edge length a equal to 5.2 $\mathring{A}$ , then what is the distance (in $\mathring{A}$) between nearest neighbours ?

• A. $2.25$
• B. $3.0$
• C. $2.5$
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D None of the above

In a body-centered cubic lattice all atoms touch each other.

$\therefore \sqrt{3}a=4r$ $⟹r=2.21$

Distance between the nearest neighbours is 2r2r for one atom present at corner and one atom present at the body center.

Therefore, the nearest distance between atoms is $2r=4.42$