PAEC Chemistry Test Preparation Complex MCQs on Ionic Solids & Structures Irfan Faiz/2025

IONIC SOLIDS

1 Introduction

Ionic solids are a type of crystalline solid formed by the electrostatic attraction between positively charged
cations and negatively charged anions These oppositely charged ions arrange themselves in a repeating
three-dimensional array known as a crystal lattice The stability of an ionic solid arises from the lattice
energy, which is the energy released when gaseous ions combine to form a crystalline solid

2 Nature of Ionic Bonding

In ionic solids, atoms of electropositive elements (metals) transfer electrons to atoms of electronegative
elements (nonmetals), resulting in the formation of ions The electrostatic force between these oppositely
charged ions is called an ionic bond Ionic bonds are nondirectional, meaning the attraction is equal in all
directions around the ion

 The strength of the ionic bond depends on:

 Charge of ions: Higher charge = stronger attraction

 Size of ions: Smaller ions = stronger electrostatic forces

 Packing efficiency in the crystal lattice

3 Characteristics of Ionic Solids

 High melting and boiling points due to strong ionic bonds

 Hard and brittle in nature

 Electrical conductivity: In solid state: Non-conductors due to fixed ions

 In molten or aqueous state: Conductors due to free-moving ions

 Solubility: Generally soluble in polar solvents like water

 Well-defined crystal structure due to regular arrangement of ions

4 Lattice Energy

Lattice energy is defined as the energy released when one mole of an ionic crystalline compound is
formed from its gaseous ions It is a measure of the strength of ionic bonding

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Factors affecting lattice energy:

 1 Ionic charge: Directly proportional

 2 Ionic radii: Inversely proportional

 3 Crystal structure: More compact structures have higher lattice energy

Mathematically, lattice energy can be approximated by the modified Coulomb’s law:

Lattice Energy ∝ (Z⁺ × Z⁻) / r

Where Z⁺ and Z⁻ are the charges on cation and anion, and r is the distance between ion centers

5 Born-Haber Cycle

Lattice energy is not measured directly but calculated using a thermochemical cycle known as the Born-
Haber Cycle, which applies Hess’s Law to determine the enthalpy changes in the formation of an ionic
compound

 Steps typically include:

 Sublimation of metal

 Ionization of metal atom

 Dissociation of non-metal molecule

 Electron affinity of non-metal atom

 Formation of the ionic crystal

 Total energy change is the sum of all individual steps

6 Born-Landé Equation

The Born-Landé Equation gives a theoretical estimation of lattice energy:

U = - (N_A × M × Z⁺ × Z⁻ × e²) / (4πε₀r₀) × (1 - 1/n) Where:

 U = Lattice energy

 N_A = Avogadro’s number n = Born exponent (depends on compressibility

 M = Madelung constant (depends on structure) Z⁺, Z⁻ = Ionic charges r₀ = Distance between ion
centers

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7 Crystal Structure of Ionic Solids

Ions in an ionic solid arrange in a crystalline lattice to minimize energy and maximize attraction Common
arrangements include:

 a Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Structure

Each Na⁺ is surrounded by 6 Cl⁻ ions and vice versa (6:6 coordination)

Face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice

High stability and density

 b Cesium Chloride (CsCl) Structure

Each Cs⁺ is surrounded by 8 Cl⁻ ions (8:8 coordination)

Simple cubic structure

Found in salts with large cation-to-anion radius ratio

 c Zinc Blende (ZnS) Structure

Tetrahedral coordination (4:4)

Less ionic character, more covalent influence

8 Radius Ratio Rule

The stability and structure of an ionic solid depend on the radius ratio (r⁺/r⁻) It predicts the coordination
number and geometry

r⁺/r⁻ < 0 155 → Linear (CN = 2)

0 155 – 0 225 → Triangular (CN = 3)

0 225 – 0 414 → Tetrahedral (CN = 4)

0 414 – 0 732 → Octahedral (CN = 6)

> 0 732 → Cubic (CN = 8)

These thresholds guide the type of packing in the solid

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9 Polarization and Fajans’ Rules

Cations can distort the electron cloud of anions, leading to partial covalent character in otherwise ionic
bonds This distortion is called polarization

 Fajans’ Rules predict the degree of covalent character in ionic compounds:

 Small, highly charged cation = more polarization

 Large, highly charged anion = more polarizable

 More covalent character = lower melting point, less solubility in water

10 Defects in Ionic Solids

Real crystals are not perfect and often contain defects:

 a Schottky Defect

 Equal number of cations and anions are missing

 Reduces density but maintains electrical neutrality

 Common in NaCl, KCl

 b Frenkel Defect

 A cation leaves its lattice site and occupies an interstitial space

 Density remains unchanged

 Seen in ZnS, AgCl

 c Impurity Defects

 Foreign ions replace regular ions, introducing lattice strain or free carriers

 Defects affect properties like conductivity, reactivity, and optical behavior

11 Electrical Properties

Ionic solids do not conduct electricity in the solid state because ions are fixed in the lattice However, in
the molten state or aqueous solution, the ions are free to move and act as charge carriers, making the
substance electrically conductive This property is vital in electrolysis, batteries, and other electrochemical
applications

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12 Thermal and Mechanical Properties

 High melting and boiling points due to strong ionic interactions

 Hard and brittle nature: a slight shift in layers brings like charges close, causing repulsion and
crystal fracture

 Low volatility and poor thermal conductivity compared to metals

13 Optical Properties

 Some ionic solids are transparent to visible light (e g , NaCl, KBr), while others show color due to
transition metal ions or defects The energy band gap in ionic solids is usually wide, leading to
insulating behavior and optical transparency

 Color in ionic crystals may result from: Crystal field transitions

 Defect centers (F-centers: electrons trapped in anion vacancies)

14 Limitations of the Ideal Ionic Model

 Assumes 100% charge separation, which isn’t realistic

 Ignores polarization and covalency

 Neglects lattice imperfections

 Real materials show partial covalency, defects, and quantum effects

 These limitations are addressed by incorporating models such as Molecular Orbital Theory, Band
Theory, and Polarization theories

15 Madelung Constant and Electrostatic Energy

The Madelung constant (M) quantifies the sum of electrostatic interactions in a crystal lattice It depends
on the geometry and arrangement of ions

In the total lattice energy equation, M appears as a factor that adjusts the energy based on the number
and position of surrounding ions

16 Applications of Ionic Solids

Electrolytes in batteries (LiCl, NaCl) High-temperature ceramics (MgO, Al₂O₃) Optical materials (CaF₂
in lasers) Dielectrics and capacitors Medical uses (radiopaque contrast agents)

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 ✅ Ionic Solids – 30 Advanced MCQs with Reasons
1 Which of the following compounds has the ✅ Answer: C) CsCl
highest lattice energy?
Reason: Cs⁺ is large, allowing 8 anions to
A) NaCl B) KBr C) MgO D) CaF₂ surround it

✅ Answer: C) MgO 6 Which of the following is experimentally

measurable?
Reason: Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ have small radii and high
charges Lattice energy ∝ (Z⁺·Z⁻)/r, so MgO has A) Lattice energy
very high lattice energy
B) Madelung constant
2 Which of the following steps is not part of
the Born-Haber cycle? C) Enthalpy of formation

A) Ionization energy B) Electron affinity D) Radius ratio

C) Lattice enthalpy ✅ Answer: C) Enthalpy of formation

D) Bond dissociation of ionic solid Reason: Others are theoretical or calculated
indirectly
✅ Answer: D) Bond dissociation of ionic solid 7 What is the Madelung constant of NaCl-type
Reason: The cycle is used to calculate lattice lattice?
enthalpy, not its dissociation
A) 1 732 B) 1 638 C) 1 414 D) 2 0
3 A cation has radius 100 pm, and anion 200
pm What is their radius ratio? ✅ Answer: B) 1 638
A) 0 25 B) 0 5 C) 1 0 D) 2 0 Reason: It’s a dimensionless constant for
electrostatic potential in ionic solids
✅ Answer: B) 0 5 8 Which of these salts is least soluble in water?
Reason: Radius ratio = r⁺/r⁻ = 100/200 = 0 5;
predicts coordination geometry A) NaCl B) AgCl C) KNO₃ D) CaCl₂

4 Which ionic compound has the most covalent ✅ Answer: B) AgCl

character?
Reason: Due to low hydration energy and high
A) NaCl B) KBr C) AlCl₃ D) MgCl₂ lattice energy

✅ Answer: C) AlCl₃ 9 Doubling both charges in an ionic compound

increases lattice energy by a factor of:
Reason: Small, highly charged cation (Al³⁺)
polarizes the anion more — Fajans’ rules A) 2 B) 4 C) 1 D) 0 5

5 Which crystal has 8:8 coordination? ✅ Answer: B) 4

A) NaCl B) ZnS C) CsCl D) CaF₂ Reason: Lattice energy ∝ (Z⁺·Z⁻); doubling each
gives (2Z·2Z) = 4× C) High charge, small radius

10 Frenkel defect involves: D) Low electronegativity

A) Missing anions ✅ Answer: C) High charge, small radius

B) Foreign atom inclusion Reason: Stronger electrostatic attraction → higher
lattice energy
C) Cation leaving its site and entering interstitial
space ---

D) Anion shift 14 CaO has higher lattice energy than NaCl

✅ Answer: C) Cation shift to interstitial because:

A) Ca²⁺ is smaller
Reason: Common in small cation and large anion
crystals like AgBr B) Charges are higher (Ca²⁺ vs Na⁺)

11 Why don’t solid ionic compounds conduct C) Anion is larger

electricity?
D) Cl⁻ is more polarizable
A) No free electrons B) No mobile ions
✅ Answer: B) Charges are higher
C) Covalent bonding D) Large size
Reason: Ca²⁺ and O²⁻ → +2 and -2 → greater
✅ Answer: B) No mobile ions attraction

Reason: Ions are fixed in lattice; conductivity 15 Which has tetrahedral (4:4) coordination?
occurs only in molten or aqueous state
A) NaCl B) ZnS C) CsCl D) CaF₂
---
✅ Answer: B) ZnS
12 Which defect decreases density?
Reason: In ZnS, each Zn²⁺ is tetrahedrally
A) Frenkel surrounded by 4 S²⁻

B) Schottky 16 Which compound has highest melting point?

C) Substitution A) NaCl B) KCl C) AlCl₃ D) MgO

D) Interstitial ✅ Answer: D) MgO

✅ Answer: B) Schottky Reason: Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ → strong attraction →
high lattice energy → high m p
Reason: Equal cation/anion vacancies → reduces
total mass per volume 17 Which step in Born-Haber is exothermic?

--- A) Sublimation B) Lattice formation

13 Lattice energy increases with: C) Ionization energy D) Bond dissociation

A) Decreased charges ✅ Answer: B) Lattice formation

B) Increased size Reason: Formation of solid from gaseous ions
releases energy C) N/m D) eV

18 Color of AgCl after exposure to sunlight is: ✅ Answer: B) kJ/mol

A) Blue B) Green C) Brownish-black D) Yellow Reason: It is energy released per mole of solid

✅ Answer: C) Brownish-black formed

24 Which is not an ionic solid?

Reason: Decomposes to metallic silver → black
coloration A) NaCl B) CaF₂ C) SiO₂ D) MgO

19 Which structure type has radius ratio > 0 732? ✅ Answer: C) SiO₂
A) NaCl B) CsCl C) ZnS D) CaF₂ Reason: SiO₂ is covalent network solid (giant

✅ Answer: B) CsCl molecule)

25 Which crystal has face-centered cubic unit

Reason: Large Cs⁺ allows body-centered cubic cell?
structure (8:8)
A) CsCl B) NaCl C) ZnS D) CaO
20 Frenkel defect is more common in:

A) NaCl B) CsCl C) AgBr D) CaF₂

✅ Answer: B) NaCl
✅ Answer: C) AgBr Reason: NaCl has fcc structure with 6:6
coordination

Reason: Small Ag⁺ fits into interstitial sites easily 26 Theoretical lattice energy is calculated using:

21 If interionic distance increases, lattice energy: A) Hess’s law B) Madelung constant

A) Increases B) Decreases C) Raoult’s law D) Bragg’s law

C) Constant ✅ Answer: B) Madelung constant

D) Becomes negative Reason: It reflects geometry and distance in ionic

✅ Answer: B) Decreases lattice

27 Why is AgI less soluble in water than NaI?

Reason: Lattice energy ∝ 1/r
A) Low lattice energy
22 Which of these pairs is isomorphous?
B) Large Ag⁺ ion
A) NaCl & ZnS B) KCl & NaBr
C) Less hydration energy of Ag⁺
C) CsCl & CaCl₂ D) CaO & MgCl₂

✅ Answer: B) KCl & NaBr D) High dipole moment

Reason: Similar radius & same crystal structure

✅ Answer: C) Less hydration energy
(rock salt) Reason: Ag⁺ is less hydrated than Na⁺, reducing
solubility
23 Units of lattice energy are:
28 Which increases solubility of ionic solid?
A) J B) kJ/mol
A) Increase lattice energy ✅ Answer: C) Multivalent ions
B) Decrease hydration energy Reason: Multivalent = stronger attraction → more
lattice energy
C) High hydration energy
30 If lattice energy of CaO is 3450 kJ/mol, and
D) Decrease temperature hydration energy is -3700 kJ/mol, the process is:

✅ Answer: C) High hydration energy A) Non-spontaneous

Reason: Hydration releases energy that breaks B) Endothermic

ionic lattice -
C) Spontaneous
29 An ionic solid will have high melting point if:
D) Reversible
A) Covalent bonds exist

B) It has large interionic distance

✅ Answer: C) Spontaneous
Reason: Net ΔH = -250 kJ/mol → favorable and
C) It contains multivalent ions exergonic

D) Radius ratio is low

PAEC Chemistry Test Preparation Complex MCQs on Ionic Solids & Structures Irfan Faiz/2025

2 Types of Ionic Solids Based on Stoichiometry

The stoichiometric ratio between cations and anions is a foundational factor that determines the structure
and coordination pattern of ionic solids Two of the most common stoichiometries in ionic solids are AX
and AX₂

AX-type Ionic Solids

In AX-type compounds, the stoichiometric ratio between the cation (A) and the anion (X) is 1:1 These are
typically formed when a univalent metal reacts with a univalent non-metal, such as sodium chloride or
potassium bromide

A classical example is the sodium chloride crystal structure, where each sodium ion is surrounded by six
chloride ions, and each chloride ion is similarly surrounded by six sodium ions, forming an octahedral
geometry This 6:6 coordination gives rise to a cubic close-packed structure The strong Coulombic
interactions in all directions result in the high thermal and mechanical stability of the crystal

In other AX-type compounds such as cesium chloride, a body-centered cubic structure is formed In this
case, each cesium ion is surrounded by eight chloride ions and vice versa, forming an 8:8 coordination
This structure is favored when the cation is significantly larger than the anion

The choice between these structures is governed by the radius ratio of the ions A high radius ratio
(greater than 0 732) leads to 8:8 coordination, while a moderate ratio favors 6:6 coordination

AX₂-type Ionic Solids

AX₂-type ionic compounds feature a 1:2 stoichiometric ratio between the cation and the anion These
structures are often found in compounds involving a divalent cation such as calcium or a tetravalent cation
such as titanium

A classic example is calcium fluoride, where each calcium ion is surrounded by eight fluoride ions, and
each fluoride ion is surrounded by four calcium ions This results in a structure known as the fluorite type
In this arrangement, the anions occupy tetrahedral holes, while the cations are located in face-centered
cubic positions The structure offers a high degree of symmetry and stability

Titanium dioxide is another example of an AX₂-type compound, but it adopts a different structure known
as the rutile type The variation in structure despite having the same stoichiometric ratio underscores the
influence of ionic sizes, polarizability, and charge on the resultant crystal geometry

3 The Rutile Structure

Rutile is the most stable polymorph of titanium dioxide and serves as the prototype for many other metal
dioxides It is a tetragonal structure where each titanium ion is surrounded by six oxide ions forming a
distorted octahedron, while each oxide ion is connected to three titanium ions

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The distortion in the octahedron arises due to repulsion and lattice strain, but the structure remains highly
stable due to the strong ionic interactions between Ti⁴⁺ and O²⁻ ions The TiO₆ octahedra share edges and
corners, resulting in a robust three-dimensional lattice

The rutile structure also has significant technological importance It is a wide-bandgap semiconductor and
finds applications in photocatalysis, pigments, and as a dielectric material Many other compounds such as
SnO₂ and MnO₂ crystallize in the rutile structure, indicating its broad adaptability

4 Silica Structures

Silicon dioxide or silica, though largely covalent in character, shares structural features with ionic solids
due to the partial ionic nature of Si–O bonds It exists in various polymorphic forms, with quartz being the
most stable under ambient conditions

In the quartz structure, each silicon atom is covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms in a tetrahedral
arrangement Each oxygen atom bridges two silicon atoms, forming a continuous three-dimensional network
The tetrahedral coordination of silicon and the bridging nature of oxygen atoms lead to a highly rigid and
strong lattice

Unlike simple ionic solids, silica does not exhibit a simple repeating unit cell Instead, the SiO₄ tetrahedra
are linked in a manner that results in a complex, spiral-like lattice structure This complexity imparts
unique properties such as piezoelectricity and high chemical resistance

Another form is amorphous silica or silica glass, where the SiO₄ tetrahedra are still present but arranged
without long-range order Despite lacking crystallinity, the local tetrahedral arrangement remains intact,
preserving some of the mechanical strength of the crystalline forms

Silica also serves as a structural model for other silicates, which are ionic in nature In such compounds,
metal cations balance the negative charges of the oxygen atoms, further enhancing the relevance of silica
in the context of ionic solids

5 Layered Ionic Structures

Certain ionic compounds exhibit a layered structure in which cations and anions are arranged in distinct
planes These layers are held together by relatively weaker electrostatic forces or even van der Waals
forces in some cases, allowing for anisotropic properties such as easy cleavage, ion mobility, or
intercalation behavior

A notable example is cadmium iodide, which crystallizes in a layered structure The iodide ions form a
close-packed arrangement, and cadmium ions occupy octahedral voids between alternate layers This
results in a structure where metal cations are sandwiched between sheets of anions, and there are vacant
planes between layers Such structures exhibit easy cleavage along the layers and can undergo
intercalation with other species, making them suitable for applications in battery and sensor technologies

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Other examples include lead iodide and bismuth telluride These materials are used in thermoelectric
devices due to their directional conductivity and thermal insulation, a result of their layered architecture

The layered nature also impacts ionic conduction For example, in some solid electrolytes, the layers serve
as pathways for ion movement, leading to high ionic conductivity in specific directions This anisotropy is
beneficial in designing solid-state batteries and other advanced devices

6 Structural Factors in Ionic Solids

Several factors influence the type of structure an ionic solid adopts, and the resulting coordination
numbers and packing efficiency

One major factor is the radius ratio, which is the ratio of the cation’s radius to the anion’s radius A
higher ratio typically favors structures with higher coordination numbers For example, when the cation is
large compared to the anion, an 8:8 coordination as in cesium chloride becomes feasible When the cation
is relatively small, a 6:6 coordination as in sodium chloride or a 4:4 coordination as in zinc blende may be
adopted

Another crucial factor is the lattice energy, which is the energy released when ions come together to form
the crystalline solid Lattice energy depends on the product of ionic charges and the distance between
ions A higher charge and smaller distance lead to greater lattice energy, resulting in a more stable and
less soluble compound

Ionic solids may also accommodate defects, such as missing ions or interstitial ions These defects
influence properties like electrical conductivity and density In the Schottky defect, equal numbers of
cations and anions are missing from the lattice, reducing the density In the Frenkel defect, a cation
vacates its normal site and occupies an interstitial site, leaving the overall charge balance unaffected but
altering the conduction behavior

7 Applications and Relevance in Advanced Fields

The study of ionic solids is of immense importance in nuclear, electronic, and materials science fields In
nuclear technology, understanding the structural stability and ionic conductivity of solids is essential for
designing reactor components and waste containment systems In semiconductors and optoelectronics,
ionic and partially ionic solids like rutile and silica play a vital role due to their dielectric and optical
properties

Layered ionic solids are particularly relevant in the development of modern energy storage systems Their
capacity to intercalate lithium and other ions makes them key candidates for cathode materials in lithium-
ion batteries Moreover, ionic solids with high ionic conductivity are being used to develop solid-state
electrolytes, which are safer and more efficient than traditional liquid electrolytes

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In the context of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and related organizations, knowledge of
such structures is not merely academic It forms the backbone of research and development in fields such
as solid-state physics, ceramic engineering, reactor materials, and radiological containment, where the
physical integrity and chemical behavior of ionic solids under extreme conditions is of paramount concern

Conclusion

Ionic solids, whether simple binary salts or complex multi-layered systems, exhibit a wide range of
structures and properties based on their stoichiometry, ionic sizes, and spatial arrangements The AX and
AX₂ types provide foundational examples that help elucidate the principles of lattice formation, coordination
numbers, and electrostatic stabilization More advanced structures like the rutile form of TiO₂ and the
quartz form of SiO₂ showcase the interplay of geometry, bonding, and function Layered ionic compounds
bring another dimension of complexity and application potential, especially in energy and electronics
sectors.

1 Which of the following ionic compounds

exhibits a structure in which the cation has
Which type of ionic crystal structure results
an octahedral coordination and the anion
when a simple 1:1 stoichiometric compound
has a trigonal planar coordination
(AX) crystallizes with cations occupying all
environment, characteristic of the rutile
the octahedral voids in a cubic close-packed
structure?
lattice of anions?
A) TiO₂
A) Zinc blende
B) MgF₂
B) Rock salt
C) SrCl₂
C) Cesium chloride
D) ZnO
D) Fluorite
Correct Answer: A) TiO₂
Correct Answer: B) Rock salt
Reason: Rutile (TiO₂) features Ti⁴⁺ in an
Reason: In the rock salt (NaCl-type)
octahedral environment surrounded by six
structure, the anions form an FCC (cubic
O²⁻ ions Each oxide ion is coordinated to
close-packed) lattice, and cations occupy all
three Ti⁴⁺ ions in a distorted trigonal planar
octahedral voids Both cation and anion
fashion, forming a tetragonal lattice with
coordination numbers are 6, leading to a
edge-sharing octahedra
highly symmetrical and energetically
favorable structure for many AX compounds ---

--- 3

2 In which of the following structures does

each anion occupy a tetrahedral site relative framework without discrete Si⁴⁺ or O²⁻ ions
to the surrounding cations, resulting in a 4:8
5
coordination ratio, as in the fluorite
structure? The CsCl structure differs from NaCl
primarily in:
A) CaF₂
A) Cation size only
B) MgO
B) Number of atoms per unit cell
C) CsCl

C) Coordination number and lattice type

D) PbS

D) Presence of hydrogen bonding

Correct Answer: A) CaF₂

Correct Answer: C) Coordination number and

Reason: In CaF₂, Ca²⁺ ions form a cubic
lattice type
lattice, and F⁻ ions occupy all tetrahedral
voids Each Ca²⁺ is surrounded by 8 F⁻ Reason: CsCl has a simple cubic unit cell
(coordination number 8), and each F⁻ is with each ion coordinated to 8 counterions
coordinated to 4 Ca²⁺, giving a 4:8 (8:8), unlike NaCl, which has FCC with 6:6
coordination ratio typical of AX₂ type solids coordination This difference arises due to
the larger size of Cs⁺ compared to Na⁺,
4
which supports 8-fold coordination
The silica (SiO₂) crystal lattice is best
6
described as:

Which statement is true regarding the

A) Discrete Si⁴⁺ and O²⁻ ions in ionic
stability of AX₂-type ionic solids with
bonding
respect to ionic radius ratios?
B) Close-packed O²⁻ lattice with Si⁴⁺ in
A) Stability increases as r⁺/r⁻ approaches 1
octahedral voids

B) r⁺/r⁻ must be < 0 155 for tetrahedral

C) A covalently bonded 3D network with
coordination
tetrahedral units

C) Fluorite structures form when r⁺/r⁻ is >

D) Ionic compound with rutile-like linear
0 732
Si–O–Si chains

D) Layered structures require a radius ratio

Correct Answer: C) A covalently bonded 3D
> 1
network with tetrahedral units

Correct Answer: C) Fluorite structures form

Reason: SiO₂ is not a true ionic solid but a
when r⁺/r⁻ is > 0 732
covalent network Each silicon is
tetrahedrally coordinated to four oxygen Reason: According to radius ratio rules,
atoms, and each oxygen bridges between coordination number 8 (as in CaF₂) is
two silicon atoms, forming a continuous 3D possible when cation-to-anion radius ratio
exceeds 0 732 This allows efficient packing These octahedra share edges, forming a
in fluorite-type lattices compact and highly symmetrical lattice

--- ---

7 9

Which of the following layered ionic solids Which of the following ionic solids is most
exhibits van der Waals interactions between likely to show anisotropic electrical
individual anion–cation–anion planes? conductivity due to its layered crystal
structure?
A) AlCl₃
A) MgO
B) CdI₂
B) CaCl₂
C) NaCl
C) TiS₂
D) BaO
D) BaF₂
Correct Answer: B) CdI₂
Correct Answer: C) TiS₂
Reason: CdI₂ crystallizes in a layered
structure with Cd²⁺ ions sandwiched between Reason: Transition metal dichalcogenides
hexagonal layers of I⁻ ions These layers are like TiS₂ have layered structures with strong
held together by weak van der Waals forces, bonding within layers and weak interlayer
allowing easy cleavage along planes — a interactions This results in directional
key property of layered solids conductivity, particularly along the plane of
the layers (anisotropy)
---
---
8
10
Which coordination polyhedron is formed
around the cation in the rutile structure of A compound with formula AX₂ shows a
TiO₂? structure in which each A ion is coordinated
to 8 X⁻ ions and each X⁻ to 4 A ions What
A) Tetrahedron
structure is most consistent with this
B) Square planar observation?

C) Octahedron A) Rutile

D) Trigonal bipyramid B) Fluorite

Correct Answer: C) Octahedron C) Layered CdI₂ type

Reason: Ti⁴⁺ is located at the center of a D) Rock salt

slightly distorted octahedron formed by six
Correct Answer: B) Fluorite
surrounding O²⁻ ions in the rutile structure
Reason: Fluorite (CaF₂-type) structure surrounded by eight F⁻ ions, while each F⁻
exhibits exactly such a coordination pattern ion is tetrahedrally coordinated to four
The A²⁺ cation sits in the FCC lattice and is cations