Calcium fluoride forms a crystalline lattice in fluorite. The fluoride ions are the lighter spheres in the unit cell shown. Choose the best description of the interstitial holes that fluoride ions occupy.

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Calcium fluoride forms a crystalline lattice in fluorite. The fluoride ions are the lighter spheres in the unit cell shown. Choose the best description of the interstitial holes that fluoride ions occupy.

### Explanation of Crystal Structure and Coordination Number:

The diagram depicted on the left-hand side of the image showcases a crystal lattice structure of Calcium Fluoride (\(CaF_2\)). In this structure:

- The larger grey circles represent \(Ca^{2+}\) ions.
- The smaller white circles represent \(F^-\) ions.

In the Fluorite structure, each \(Ca^{2+}\) ion is surrounded by eight \(F^-\) ions, forming a cubic coordination. Conversely, each \(F^-\) ion is coordinated by four \(Ca^{2+}\) ions, occupying the tetrahedral holes in the crystal lattice.

### Question and Answer Choices:

On the right-hand side of the image, there is a multiple-choice question associated with the depicted structure. The question asks:

Which type of void is occupied by the fluoride ions (\(F^-\)) in the given structure?

#### Answer Choices: 

A) Cubic hole  
B) Tetrahedral hole  
C) Octahedral hole  
D) Spherical hole  

### Correct Answer:

The correct answer is B) Tetrahedral hole. This is because, in the depicted Fluorite (Calcium Fluoride) structure, \(F^-\) ions occupy the tetrahedral voids created by the \(Ca^{2+}\) ions.

This configuration ensures the stability and geometry characteristic of the \(CaF_2\) crystal lattice.
Transcribed Image Text:### Explanation of Crystal Structure and Coordination Number: The diagram depicted on the left-hand side of the image showcases a crystal lattice structure of Calcium Fluoride (\(CaF_2\)). In this structure: - The larger grey circles represent \(Ca^{2+}\) ions. - The smaller white circles represent \(F^-\) ions. In the Fluorite structure, each \(Ca^{2+}\) ion is surrounded by eight \(F^-\) ions, forming a cubic coordination. Conversely, each \(F^-\) ion is coordinated by four \(Ca^{2+}\) ions, occupying the tetrahedral holes in the crystal lattice. ### Question and Answer Choices: On the right-hand side of the image, there is a multiple-choice question associated with the depicted structure. The question asks: Which type of void is occupied by the fluoride ions (\(F^-\)) in the given structure? #### Answer Choices: A) Cubic hole B) Tetrahedral hole C) Octahedral hole D) Spherical hole ### Correct Answer: The correct answer is B) Tetrahedral hole. This is because, in the depicted Fluorite (Calcium Fluoride) structure, \(F^-\) ions occupy the tetrahedral voids created by the \(Ca^{2+}\) ions. This configuration ensures the stability and geometry characteristic of the \(CaF_2\) crystal lattice.
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