Aluminum metal has a density of 2.72g/cm3 and crystallizes in lattice ...
Explanation:
1. Density of aluminum metal:
The given density of aluminum metal is 2.72 g/cm3. This means that for every cubic centimeter of aluminum, it has a mass of 2.72 grams.
2. Lattice with an edge length of 404 pm:
The lattice refers to the arrangement of atoms in a crystal structure. The edge length of 404 pm (picometers) represents the distance between the centers of two adjacent atoms in the crystal structure.
3. Determining the unit cell:
To determine the unit cell of aluminum, we need to consider the arrangement of atoms in the crystal lattice. There are three common types of unit cells: simple cubic (SC), body-centered cubic (BCC), and face-centered cubic (FCC).
4. Coordination number:
The coordination number refers to the number of atoms or ions that surround a central atom or ion in a crystal lattice. It represents the number of nearest neighbors of an atom.
5. Analyzing the options:
a) Base-centered cubic unit cell: This type of unit cell has additional atoms located at the center of each face of the cube. The coordination number for base-centered cubic is 8. However, aluminum does not crystallize in a base-centered cubic structure.
b) Face-centered cubic unit cell: This type of unit cell has additional atoms located at the center of each face of the cube. The coordination number for face-centered cubic is 12. Aluminum metal crystallizes in a face-centered cubic structure, where each aluminum atom is surrounded by 12 neighboring aluminum atoms.
c) Coordination number of 8: This coordination number is associated with a cubic close-packed (CCP) or face-centered cubic (FCC) structure, where each atom is surrounded by 12 nearest neighbors. The coordination number of aluminum is 12, not 8.
d) Coordination number of 6: This coordination number is associated with a hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure, where each atom is surrounded by 6 nearest neighbors. The coordination number of aluminum is 12, not 6.
6. Conclusion:
Based on the information provided, the correct option is b) It forms a face-centered cubic unit cell.