What is minimum number of spheres required to develop a tetrahedral void?

What is minimum number of spheres required to develop a tetrahedral void?
  1. 2
  2. 4
  3. 6
  4. 3

Solution

A tetrahedral void is a type of interstitial space formed in a close-packed arrangement of spheres. In order to create a tetrahedral void, four spheres are required. The void is formed between these four spheres and the surrounding spheres in a tetrahedral geometry. - In a close-packed structure like FCC (Face-Centered Cubic) or HCP (Hexagonal Close-Packed), a tetrahedral void is formed when one sphere is surrounded by four others, and the void is the empty space at the center of this arrangement. Thus, 4 spheres are the minimum number required to create a tetrahedral void.

Asked in: MHT CET 2024 (10 May Shift 2)

Practice more Solid State questions on Aicharya