Join the Most Relevant JEE Main 2025 Test Series & get 99+ percentile! Join Now
Search any question & find its solution
Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
If ' $a$ ' stands for the edge length of the cubic systems : simple cubic, body centred cubic and face centred cubic, then the ratio of radii of the spheres in these systems will be respectively,
ChemistrySolid StateVITEEEVITEEE 2017
Options:
  • A $\frac{1}{2} a: \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} a: \frac{1}{2 \sqrt{2}} a$
  • B $\frac{1}{2} a: \sqrt{3} a: \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} a$
  • C $\frac{1}{2} a: \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} a: \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} a$
  • D $1 a: \sqrt{3} a: \sqrt{2} a$
Solution:
2884 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: $\frac{1}{2} a: \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} a: \frac{1}{2 \sqrt{2}} a$
Following generalization can be easily derived for various types of lattice arrangements in cubic cells between the edge length $(a)$ of the cell and $r$ the radius of the sphere.
For simple cubic: $a=2 r$ or $r=\frac{a}{2}$
For body centred cubic :
$$
a=\frac{4}{\sqrt{3}} r \text { or } r=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} a
$$
For face centred cubic :
$$
a=2 \sqrt{2} r \text { or } r=\frac{1}{2 \sqrt{2}} \mathrm{a}
$$
Thus the ratio of radii of spheres for these will be
simple $: \mathrm{bcc}: \mathrm{fcc}$
$=\frac{a}{2}: \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} a: \frac{1}{2 \sqrt{2}} a$ i.e.
option (a) is correct answer.

Looking for more such questions to practice?

Download the MARKS App - The ultimate prep app for IIT JEE & NEET with chapter-wise PYQs, revision notes, formula sheets, custom tests & much more.