Explain how much portion of an atom located at (i) corner and (ii) body−centre of a cubic unit cell is part of its neighboring unit cell.

Q 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 neighboring unit cell.

Solution:

(i)the atom of corner of a cubic unit cell is shared by eight adjacent unit cells.

Therefore, portion of the atom at the corner = 8 × 1/8  = 1 atom.

(ii) The atoms present at the center of the body is not shared by its neighboring unit cell.

Therefore, portion of the atom at the center = 1 atom