Question

How many atoms form a tetrahedral void?

Answer 1

Tetrahedral void:

• Tetrahedral voids can be found in substances having a tetrahedral arrangement in their crystal system.
• In a cubic, close-packed structure, spheres of the second layer lie above the triangular voids of the first layer.
• Each sphere touches the three spheres of the first layer.
• By joining the centre of these four spheres, it forms a tetrahedron, and the space left over by joining the centre of these spheres forms a tetrahedral void.

Hence, the number of spheres that form a tetrahedral void is four, 3 in one plane and 1 in the axis.