This chapter belongs to a previous NCERT/CBSE curriculum and is not part of the current 2026-27 chapter list. Removed in 2022-23.
Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry - Chapter The Solid State. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 2, Question 7:
How will you distinguish between the following pairs of terms:
(i) Hexagonal close-packing and cubic close-packing?
(ii) Crystal lattice and unit cell?
(iii) Tetrahedral void and octahedral void?
. With detailed answers and explanations for each chapter, students can strengthen their understanding and prepare confidently for exams. Ideal for CBSE and other board students, this resource will simplify your study experience.How will you distinguish between the following pairs of terms:
(i) Hexagonal close-packing and cubic close-packing?
(ii) Crystal lattice and unit cell?
(iii) Tetrahedral void and octahedral void?
| S No | Hexagonal close packing | Cubic close packing | |
| 1 | It is 2dimensional packing | It is a 3 dimensional packing | |
| 2 | Here the sphere of 2nd row sit into the depressions in between the spheres of the 1st row |
|
|
| 3 | It is abbrebiated as hcp |
It is abbrebiated as ccp |
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.
Now, the next layer can be placed over layer B in 2 ways.
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.
(ii)
| S. No | crystal lattice | unit cell |
| 1 | It a regular 3 dimensional arrangement of the points in a crystal | It is smallest but complete unit in the space lattice which is when repeated over & again in 3 dimensions |
(iii)
| S. No | Tetrahedral void | Octahedral void |
| 1 | It is a vacant space among four spheres having tetrahedral arrangement | It is avoid formed by 2 equilateral triangles with apices in opposite directions |
| 2 | There are 2 tetrahedral sites for each sphere | There is only 1 octahedral site for each sphere |
The reaction between A and B is first order with respect to A and zero order with respect to B. Fill in the blanks in the following table:
| Experiment |
A/ mol L - 1 |
B/ mol L - 1 |
Initial rate/mol L - 1 min - 1 |
| I | 0.1 | 0.1 |
2.0 × 10 - 2 |
| II | -- | 0.2 |
4.0 × 10 - 2 |
| III | 0.4 | 0.4 | -- |
| IV | -- | 0.2 |
2.0 × 10 - 2 |
NCERT questions are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and theories discussed in the chapter. Here are some tips to help you answer NCERT questions effectively:
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Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry - Chapter . This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Excercise 2 , Question 7: How will you distinguish between the following pairs of terms: (i) Hexagonal close-packing and cu....
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