Understanding Solid State Properties
Understanding Solid State Properties
Page No 4:
Question 1.1:
Why are solids rigid?
Answer:
The intermolecular forces of attraction that are present in solids are very strong. The
constituent particles of solids cannot move from their positions i.e., they have fixed
positions. However, they can oscillate about their mean positions. This is the reason solids
are rigid.
Question 1.2:
Why do solids have a definite volume?
Answer:
The intermolecular forces of attraction that are present in solids are very strong. The
constituent particles of solids have fixed positions i.e., they are rigid. Hence, solids have a
definite volume.
Question 1.3:
Classify the following as amorphous or crystalline solids:
Answer:
Amorphous solids
Crystalline solids
Question 1.4:
Why is glass considered a super cooled liquid?
Answer:
Similar to liquids, glass has a tendency to flow, though very slowly. Therefore, glass is
considered as a super cooled liquid. This is the reason that glass windows and doors are
slightly thicker at the bottom than at the top.
Question 1.5:
Refractive index of a solid is observed to have the same value along all directions.
Comment on the nature of this solid. Would it show cleavage property?
Answer:
An isotropic solid has the same value of physical properties when measured along
different directions. Therefore, the given solid, having the same value of refractive index
along all directions, is isotropic in nature. Hence, the solid is an amorphous solid.
When an amorphous solid is cut with a sharp edged tool, it cuts into two pieces with
irregular surfaces.
Page No 6:
Question 1.6:
Classify the following solids in different categories based on the nature of intermolecular
forces operating in them:
Potassium sulphate, tin, benzene, urea, ammonia, water, zinc sulphide, graphite, rubidium,
argon, silicon carbide.
Answer:
Potassium sulphate → Ionic solid
Tin → Metallic solid
Benzene → Molecular (non-polar) solid
Question 1.7:
Solid A is a very hard electrical insulator in solid as well as in molten state and melts at
extremely high temperature. What type of solid is it?
Answer:
The given properties are the properties of a covalent or network solid. Therefore, the given
solid is a covalent or network solid. Examples of such solids include diamond (C) and
quartz (SiO 2 ).
Question 1.8:
Ionic solids conduct electricity in molten state but not in solid state. Explain.
Answer:
In ionic compounds, electricity is conducted by ions. In solid state, ions are held together
by strong electrostatic forces and are not free to move about within the solid. Hence, ionic
solids do not conduct electricity in solid state. However, in molten state or in solution form,
the ions are free to move and can conduct electricity.
Question 1.9:
What type of solids are electrical conductors, malleable and ductile?
Answer:
Metallic solids are electrical conductors, malleable, and ductile.
Page No 12:
Question 1.10:
Give the significance of a ‘lattice point’.
Answer:
The significance of a lattice point is that each lattice point represents one constituent
particle of a solid which may be an atom, a molecule (group of atom), or an ion.
Question 1.11:
Name the parameters that characterize a unit cell.
Answer:
The six parameters that characterise a unit cell are as follows.
These are the angle ∝ (between edges b and c), β (between edges a and c), and γ
(between edges a and b).
Question 1.12:
Distinguish between
Answer:
(i) Hexagonal unit cell
In a face-centred unit cell, the constituent particles are present at the corners and one at
the centre of each face.
An end-centred unit cell contains particles at the corners and one at the centre of any two
opposite faces.
Question 1.13:
Explain how much portion of an atom located at (i) corner and (ii) body-centre of a cubic
unit cell is part of its neighbouring unit cell.
Answer:
(i)An atom located at the corner of a cubic unit cell is shared by eight adjacent unit cells.
(ii)An atom located at the body centre of a cubic unit cell is not shared by its neighbouring
unit cell. Therefore, the atom belongs only to the unit cell in which it is present i.e., its
contribution to the unit cell is 1.
Page No 21:
Question 1.14:
What is the two dimensional coordination number of a molecule in square close packed
layer?
Answer:
In square close-packed layer, a molecule is in contact with four of its neighbours.
Therefore, the two-dimensional coordination number of a molecule in square close-packed
layer is 4.
Question 1.15:
A compound forms hexagonal close-packed structure. What is the total number of voids in
0.5 mol of it? How many of these are tetrahedral voids?
Answer:
Page No 22:
Question 1.16:
A compound is formed by two elements M and N. The element N forms ccp and atoms of
M occupy 1/3 rd of tetrahedral voids. What is the formula of the compound?
Answer:
The ccp lattice is formed by the atoms of the element N.
Here, the number of tetrahedral voids generated is equal to twice the number of atoms of
the element N.
According to the question, the atoms of element M occupy of the tetrahedral voids.
of atoms of N.
Answer:
Hexagonal close-packed lattice has the highest packing efficiency of 74%. The packing
efficiencies of simple cubic and body-centred cubic lattices are 52.4% and 68%
respectively.
Question 1.18:
An element with molar mass 2.7 × 10 -2 kg mol -1 forms a cubic unit cell with edge length
405 pm. If its density is 2.7 × 103 kg m −3 , what is the nature of the cubic unit cell?
Answer:
= 4.05 × 10 −10 m
This implies that four atoms of the element are present per unit cell. Hence, the unit cell is
face-centred cubic (fcc) or cubic close-packed (ccp).
Page No 29:
Question 1.19:
What type of defect can arise when a solid is heated? Which physical property is affected
by it and in what way?
Answer:
When a solid is heated, vacancy defect can arise. A solid crystal is said to have vacancy
defect when some of the lattice sites are vacant.
Question 1.20:
What type of stoichiometric defect is shown by:
Answer:
(i) ZnS shows Frenkel defect.
Question 1.21:
Explain how vacancies are introduced in an ionic solid when a cation of higher valence is
added as an impurity in it.
Answer:
When a cation of higher valence is added to an ionic solid as an impurity to it, the cation of
higher valence replaces more than one cation of lower valence so as to keep the crystal
electrically neutral. As a result, some sites become vacant. For example, when Sr 2+ is
added to NaCl, each Sr 2+ ion replaces two Na + ions. However, one Sr 2+ ion occupies the
site of one Na + ion and the other site remains vacant. Hence, vacancies are introduced.
Question 1.22:
Ionic solids, which have anionic vacancies due to metal excess defect, develop colour.
Explain with the help of a suitable example.
Answer:
The colour develops because of the presence of electrons in the anionic sites. These
electrons absorb energy from the visible part of radiation and get excited.
For example, when crystals of NaCl are heated in an atmosphere of sodium vapours, the
sodium atoms get deposited on the surface of the crystal and the chloride ions from the
crystal diffuse to the surface to form NaCl with the deposited Na atoms. During this
process, the Na atoms on the surface lose electrons to form Na + ions and the released
electrons diffuse into the crystal to occupy the vacant anionic sites. These electrons get
excited by absorbing energy from the visible light and impart yellow colour to the crystals.
Question 1.23:
A group 14 element is to be converted into n-type semiconductor by doping it with a
suitable impurity. To which group should this impurity belong?
Answer:
An n-type semiconductor conducts because of the presence of extra electrons. Therefore,
a group 14 element can be converted to n-type semiconductor by doping it with a group 15
element.
Question 1.24:
What type of substances would make better permanent magnets, ferromagnetic or
ferrimagnetic. Justify your answer.
Answer:
Ferromagnetic substances would make better permanent magnets.
In solid state, the metal ions of ferromagnetic substances are grouped together into small
regions. These regions are called domains and each domain acts as a tiny magnet. In an
unmagnetised piece of a ferromagnetic substance, the domains are randomly oriented. As
a result, the magnetic moments of the domains get cancelled. However, when the
substance is placed in a magnetic field, all the domains get oriented in the direction of the
magnetic field and a strong magnetic effect is produced.
The ordering of the domains persists even after the removal of the magnetic field. Thus,
the ferromagnetic substance becomes a permanent magnet.
Page No 30:
Question 1.1:
Define the term ‘amorphous’. Give a few examples of amorphous solids.
Answer:
Amorphous solids are the solids whose constituent particles are of irregular shapes and
have short range order. These solids are isotropic in nature and melt over a range of
temperature. Therefore, amorphous solids are sometimes called pseudo solids or super
cooled liquids. They do not have definite heat of fusion. When cut with a sharp-edged tool,
they cut into two pieces with irregular surfaces. Examples of amorphous solids include
glass, rubber, and plastic.
Question 1.2:
What makes a glass different from a solid such as quartz? Under what conditions could
quartz be converted into glass?
Answer:
The arrangement of the constituent particles makes glass different from quartz. In glass,
the constituent particles have short range order, but in quartz, the constituent particles
have both long range and short range orders.
Quartz can be converted into glass by heating and then cooling it rapidly.
Question 1.3:
Classify each of the following solids as ionic, metallic, molecular, network (covalent) or
amorphous.
(v) P 4 (xi) Si
Answer:
Ionic → (ii) Ammonium phosphate (NH4)3PO4, (x) LiBr
→ (viii) Brass, (ix) Rb
Metallic
Question 1.4:
(i) What is meant by the term ‘coordination number’?
Answer:
(i) The number of nearest neighbours of any constituent particle present in the crystal
lattice is called its coordination number.
Answer:
By knowing the density of an unknown metal and the dimension of its unit cell, the atomic
mass of the metal can be determined.
Let ‘a’ be the edge length of a unit cell of a crystal, ‘d’ be the density of the metal, ‘m’ be
the mass of one atom of the metal and ‘z’ be the number of atoms in the unit cell.
[Since mass of the unit cell = Number of atoms in the unit cell × mass of one atom]
[Volume of the unit cell = (Edge length of the cubic unit cell) 3 ]
Therefore,
If the edge lengths are different (say a, b and c), then equation (ii) becomes:
M = d(abc)NAz (iv)
From equations (iii) and (iv), we can determine the atomic mass of the unknown metal.
Question 1.6:
‘Stability of a crystal is reflected in the magnitude of its melting point’. Comment. Collect
melting points of solid water, ethyl alcohol, diethyl ether and methane from a data book.
What can you say about the intermolecular forces between these molecules?
Answer:
Higher the melting point, greater is the intermolecular force of attraction and greater is the
stability. A substance with higher melting point is more stable than a substance with lower
melting point.
Methane → 89.34 K
Now, on observing the values of the melting points, it can be said that among the given
substances, the intermolecular force in solid water is the strongest and that in methane is
the weakest.
Page No 31:
Question 1.7:
How will you distinguish between the following pairs of terms:
Answer:
1. A 2-D hexagonal close-packing contains two types of triangular voids (a and b) as
shown in figure 1. Let us call this 2-D structure as layer A. Now, particles are kept in
the voids present in layer A (it can be easily observed from figures 2 and 3 that only
one of the voids will be occupied in the process, i.e., either a or b). Let us call the
particles or spheres present in the voids of layer A as layer B. Now, two types of
voids are present in layer B (c and d). Unlike the voids present in layer A, the two
types of voids present in layer B are not similar. Void c is surrounded by 4 spheres
and is called the tetrahedral void. Void d is surrounded by 6 spheres and is called
the octahedral void.
Figure 1
Figure 2 Figure 3
Case 1: When the third layer (layer C) is placed over the second one (layer B) in such a
manner that the spheres of layer C occupy the tetrahedral voids c.
In this case we get hexagonal close-packing. This is shown in figure 4. In figure 4.1, layer
B is present over the voids a and layer C is present over the voids c. In figure 4.2, layer B
is present over the voids b and layer C is present over the voids c. It can be observed
from the figure that in this arrangement, the spheres present in layer C are present directly
above the spheres of layer A. Hence, we can say that the layers in hexagonal close-
packing are arranged in an ABAB….. pattern.
Case 2: When the third layer (layer C) is placed over layer B in such a manner that the
spheres of layer C occupy the octahedral voids d.
In this case we get cubic close-packing. In figure 5.1, layer B is present over the voids a
and layer C is present over the voids d. In figure 5.2, layer B is present over the voids b
and layer C is present over the voids d. It can be observed from the figure that the
arrangement of particles in layer C is completely different from that in layers A or B. When
the fourth layer is kept over the third layer, the arrangement of particles in this layer is
similar to that in layer A. Hence, we can say that the layers in cubic close-packing are
arranged in an ABCABC….. pattern.
The side views of hcp and ccp are given in figures 6.1 and 6.2 respectively.
A unit cell is the smallest three-dimensional portion of a crystal lattice. When repeated
again and again in different directions, it generates the entire crystal lattice.
(iii) A void surrounded by 4 spheres is called a tetrahedral void and a void surrounded by
6 spheres is called an octahedral void. Figure 1 represents a tetrahedral void and figure 2
represents an octahedral void.
Figure 1 Figure 2
Question 1.8:
How many lattice points are there in one unit cell of each of the following lattice?
(iii) Body-centred
Answer:
(i) There are 14 (8 from the corners + 6 from the faces) lattice points in face-centred cubic.
(ii) There are 14 (8 from the corners + 6 from the faces) lattice points in face-centred
tetragonal.
(iii) There are 9 (1 from the centre + 8 from the corners) lattice points in body-centred
cubic.
Question 1.9:
Explain
(i) The basis of similarities and differences between metallic and ionic crystals.
Answer:
(i) The basis of similarities between metallic and ionic crystals is that both these crystal
types are held by the electrostatic force of attraction. In metallic crystals, the electrostatic
force acts between the positive ions and the electrons. In ionic crystals, it acts between
the oppositely-charged ions. Hence, both have high melting points.
The basis of differences between metallic and ionic crystals is that in metallic crystals, the
electrons are free to move and so, metallic crystals can conduct electricity. However, in
ionic crystals, the ions are not free to move. As a result, they cannot conduct electricity.
However, in molten state or in aqueous solution, they do conduct electricity.
(ii) The constituent particles of ionic crystals are ions. These ions are held together in
three-dimensional arrangements by the electrostatic force of attraction. Since the
electrostatic force of attraction is very strong, the charged ions are held in fixed positions.
This is the reason why ionic crystals are hard and brittle.
Question 1.10:
Calculate the efficiency of packing in case of a metal crystal for
(iii) face-centred cubic (with the assumptions that atoms are touching each other).
Answer:
(i) Simple cubic
In a simple cubic lattice, the particles are located only at the corners of the cube and touch
each other along the edge.
Let the edge length of the cube be ‘a’ and the radius of each particle be r.
a = 2r
= (2r) 3
= 8r 3
It can be observed from the above figure that the atom at the centre is in contact with the
other two atoms diagonally arranged.
or,
Let the edge length of the unit cell be ‘a’ and the length of the face diagonal AC be b.
Question 1.11:
Silver crystallises in fcc lattice. If edge length of the cell is 4.07 × 10 −8 cm and density is
10.5 g cm −3 , calculate the atomic mass of silver.
Answer:
Density, d = 10.5 g cm −3
As the lattice is fcc type, the number of atoms per unit cell, z = 4
= 107.13 gmol −1
Question 1.12:
A cubic solid is made of two elements P and Q. Atoms of Q are at the corners of the cube
and P at the body-centre. What is the formula of the compound? What are the coordination
numbers of P and Q?
Answer:
It is given that the atoms of Q are present at the corners of the cube.
Therefore, number of atoms of Q in one unit cell
This means that the ratio of the number of P atoms to the number of Q atoms, P:Q = 1:1
Question 1.13:
Answer:
As the lattice is bcc type, the number of atoms per unit cell, z = 2
= 3.612 × 10 −23 cm 3
So, a = 3.306 × 10 −8 cm
= 1.432 × 10 −8 cm
= 14.32 × 10 −9 cm
= 14.32 nm
Question 1.14:
If the radius of the octachedral void is r and radius of the atoms in close packing is R,
derive relation between r and R.
Answer:
A sphere with centre O, is fitted into the octahedral void as shown in the above figure. It
can be observed from the figure that ΔPOQ is right-angled
∠POQ = 90 0
Question 1.15:
Copper crystallises into a fcc lattice with edge length 3.61 × 10 −8 cm. Show that the
calculated density is in agreement with its measured value of 8.92 g cm −3 .
Answer:
As the lattice is fcc type, the number of atoms per unit cell, z = 4
The measured value of density is given as 8.92 g cm −3 . Hence, the calculated density 8.97
g cm −3 is in agreement with its measured value.
Question 1.16:
Analysis shows that nickel oxide has the formula Ni 0.98 O 1.00 . What fractions of nickel exist
as Ni 2+ and Ni 3+ ions?
Answer:
The formula of nickel oxide is Ni 0.98 O 1.00 .
Therefore, the ratio of the number of Ni atoms to the number of O atoms, Ni : O = 0.98 :
1.00 = 98 : 100
= −200
= +2x
= 294 − 3x
⇒ −x + 94 = 0
⇒ x = 94
Therefore, number of Ni 2+ ions = 94
= 0.959
And, fraction of nickel that exists as
= 0.041
= 0.041
Question 1.17:
What is a semiconductor? Describe the two main types of semiconductors and contrast
their conduction mechanism.
Answer:
Si and Ge have four valence electrons each. In their crystals, each atom forms four
covalent bonds. On the other hand, P and As contain five valence electrons each. When Si
or Ge is doped with P or As, the latter occupies some of the lattice sites in the crystal.
Four out of five electrons are used in the formation of four covalent bonds with four
neighbouring Si or Ge atoms. The remaining fifth electron becomes delocalised and
increases the conductivity of the doped Si or Ge.
Question 1.18:
Non-stoichiometric cuprous oxide, Cu 2 O can be prepared in laboratory. In this oxide,
copper to oxygen ratio is slightly less than 2:1. Can you account for the fact that this
substance is a p-type semiconductor?
Answer:
In the cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) prepared in the laboratory, copper to oxygen ratio is slightly
less than 2:1. This means that the number of Cu + ions is slightly less than twice the
number of O 2− ions. This is because some Cu + ions have been replaced by Cu 2+ ions.
Every Cu 2+ ion replaces two Cu + ions, thereby creating holes. As a result, the substance
conducts electricity with the help of these positive holes. Hence, the substance is a p-type
semiconductor.
Question 1.19:
Ferric oxide crystallises in a hexagonal close-packed array of oxide ions with two out of
every three octahedral holes occupied by ferric ions. Derive the formula of the ferric oxide.
Answer:
It is given that two out of every three octahedral holes are occupied by ferric ions.
So, number of ferric (Fe 3+ ) ions
=2:3
Question 1.20:
Classify each of the following as being either a p-type or an n-type semiconductor:
Answer:
(i) Ge (a group 14 element) is doped with In (a group 13 element). Therefore, a hole will
be created and the semiconductor generated will be a p-type semiconductor.
(ii) B (a group 13 element) is doped with Si (a group 14 element). Thus, a hole will be
created and the semiconductor generated will be a p-type semiconductor.
Page No 32:
Question 1.21:
Gold (atomic radius = 0.144 nm) crystallises in a face-centred unit cell. What is the length
of a side of the cell?
Answer:
For a face-centred unit cell:
So,
= 0.407 nm
Question 1.22:
In terms of band theory, what is the difference
Answer:
(i) The valence band of a conductor is partially-filled or it overlaps with a higher energy,
unoccupied conduction band.
On the other hand, in the case of an insulator, the valence band is fully- filled and there is
a large gap between the valence band and the conduction band.
(ii) In the case of a conductor, the valence band is partially-filled or it overlaps with a
higher energy, unoccupied conduction band. So, the electrons can flow easily under an
applied electric field.
On the other hand, the valence band of a semiconductor is filled and there is a small gap
between the valence band and the next higher conduction band. Therefore, some
electrons can jump from the valence band to the conduction band and conduct electricity.
Question 1.23:
Explain the following terms with suitable examples:
Answer:
(i) Schottky defect: Schottky defect is basically a vacancy defect shown by ionic solids. In
this defect, an equal number of cations and anions are missing to maintain electrical
neutrality. It decreases the density of a substance. Significant number of Schottky defects
is present in ionic solids. For example, in NaCl, there are approximately 10 6 Schottky pairs
per cm 3 at room temperature. Ionic substances containing similar-sized cations and
anions show this type of defect. For example: NaCl, KCl, CsCl, AgBr, etc.
(ii) Frenkel defect: Ionic solids containing large differences in the sizes of ions show this
type of defect. When the smaller ion (usually cation) is dislocated from its normal site to
an interstitial site, Frenkel defect is created. It creates a vacancy defect as well as an
interstitial defect. Frenkel defect is also known as dislocation defect. Ionic solids such as
AgCl, AgBr, AgI, and ZnS show this type of defect.
(iii) Interstitials: Interstitial defect is shown by non-ionic solids. This type of defect is
created when some constituent particles (atoms or molecules) occupy an interstitial site of
the crystal. The density of a substance increases because of this defect.
(iv) F-centres: When the anionic sites of a crystal are occupied by unpaired electrons, the
ionic sites are called F-centres. These unpaired electrons impart colour to the crystals. For
example, when crystals of NaCl are heated in an atmosphere of sodium vapour, the
sodium atoms are deposited on the surface of the crystal. The Cl ions diffuse from the
crystal to its surface and combine with Na atoms, forming NaCl. During this process, the
Na atoms on the surface of the crystal lose electrons. These released electrons diffuse
into the crystal and occupy the vacant anionic sites, creating F-centres.
Question 1.24:
Aluminium crystallises in a cubic close-packed structure. Its metallic radius is 125 pm.
Answer:
(i) For cubic close-packed structure:
= 353.55 pm
= 354 pm (approximately)
= 4.4 × 10 7 pm 3
= 4.4 × 10 7 × 10 −30 cm 3
= 4.4 × 10 −23 cm 3
= 2.27 × 10 22
Question 1.25:
If NaCl is doped with 10 −3 mol % of SrCl 2 , what is the concentration of cation vacancies?
Answer:
This means that 100 mol of NaCl is doped with 10 −3 mol of SrCl 2 .
Therefore, 1 mol of NaCl is doped with mol of SrCl 2
= 10 −5 mol of SrCl 2
Hence, the concentration of cation vacancies created by SrCl 2 is 6.022 × 10 8 per mol of
NaCl.
Question 1.26:
Explain the following with suitable examples:
(i) Ferromagnetism
(ii)Paramagnetism
(iii)Ferrimagnetism
(iv)Antiferromagnetism
Answer:
(i) Ferromagnetism: The substances that are strongly attracted by a magnetic field are
called ferromagnetic substances. Ferromagnetic substances can be permanently
magnetised even in the absence of a magnetic field. Some examples of ferromagnetic
substances are iron, cobalt, nickel, gadolinium, and CrO 2 .
In solid state, the metal ions of ferromagnetic substances are grouped together into small
regions called domains and each domain acts as a tiny magnet. In an un-magnetised
piece of a ferromagnetic substance, the domains are randomly-oriented and so, their
magnetic moments get cancelled. However, when the substance is placed in a magnetic
field, all the domains get oriented in the direction of the magnetic field. As a result, a
strong magnetic effect is produced. This ordering of domains persists even after the
removal of the magnetic field. Thus, the ferromagnetic substance becomes a permanent
magnet.
(ii) Paramagnetism: The substances that are attracted by a magnetic field are called
paramagnetic substances. Some examples of paramagnetic substances are O 2 , Cu 2t ,
Fe 3t , and Cr 3t .
Paramagnetic substances get magnetised in a magnetic field in the same direction, but
lose magnetism when the magnetic field is removed. To undergo paramagnetism, a
substance must have one or more unpaired electrons. This is because the unpaired
electrons are attracted by a magnetic field, thereby causing paramagnetism.
(iii) Ferrimagnetism: The substances in which the magnetic moments of the domains are
aligned in parallel and anti-parallel directions, in unequal numbers, are said to have
ferrimagnetism. Examples include Fe 3 O 4 (magnetite), ferrites such as MgFe 2 O 4 and
ZnFe 2 O 4 .
(v) 12-16 and 13-15 group compounds: The 12-16 group compounds are prepared by
combining group 12 and group 16 elements and the 13-15 group compounds are prepared
by combining group 13 and group15 elements. These compounds are prepared to
stimulate average valence of four as in Ge or Si. Indium (III) antimonide (IrSb), aluminium
phosphide (AlP), and gallium arsenide (GaAS) are typical compounds of groups 13-15.
GaAs semiconductors have a very fast response time and have revolutionised the
designing of semiconductor devices. Examples of group 12-16 compounds include zinc
sulphide (ZnS), cadmium sulphide (CdS), cadmium selenide (CdSe), and mercury (II)
telluride (HgTe). The bonds in these compounds are not perfectly covalent. The ionic
character of the bonds depends on the electronegativities of the two elements.