Chapter 21, Problem 21.97SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

One unit cell of the structure of $\text{MgO}$ has to be drawn and also the reason for brittleness of magnesium oxide than magnesium metal has to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Unit cell:

Unit cell is defined as a group of small atoms with total symmetry of a crystal and whole lattice can be raised by repetitions in $\text{3D}$.

Face-centered cubic unit cell:

In face centered cubic unit cell atoms occupy all eight corners and all six face of cube.  Thus, atom in the corner is shared by eight cubic unit cell and atoms in the face is shared by two cubic unit cell.