12/09/2021, 23:28 What are primitive unit cells and what are nonprimitive class 12 chemistry CBSE

Questions & Answers

CBSE Chemistry Grade 12 The Solid State

What are primitive unit cells and what are non-primitive unit
cells?

Answer Verified

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Hint: Unit cell is known to be the building block of crystal. It is the smallest portion of the
crystal lattice. Knowing about unit cells very well will help us to understand what a primitive
and non-primitive unit cell is.

Complete step by step answer:

First of all, we must know what is a crystal lattice and unit cell? Crystal lattice is the
arrangement of atoms, ions or molecules in a symmetrical three-dimensional
arrangement. We can also say it is a geometrical representation of atoms, ions or
molecules. Smallest unit of the crystal lattice represents the unit cell.
 Unit cell is defined as the smallest repeating portion of the crystal. It is the basic structural
unit or building block of the crystal. Unit cells can be classified as primitive and non-

primitive unit cells. Unit cells have two parameters namely: cell dimensions such as abc

and interfacial angles such as αβγ.

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12/09/2021, 23:28 What are primitive unit cells and what are nonprimitive class 12 chemistry CBSE

- Primitive Unit cell:

A unit cell which has only one lattice point in the crystal are called primitive unit cells.

This lattice point is present on the edges or corner of the unit cell.

- Non-primitive unit cell:

When a unit cell has not only one lattice point at the corner but also additional lattice
points are present it is called a non primitive unit cell. It is also known as a centred unit cell.
There are three types of centred unit cells. They are

- Body centered

- Face centred

- End centered

Body centred:

When the atoms are present at the centre of the body of the crystal, it is called Body-
centred.

Face-centred:

When atoms are present at the centre of the face of the crystal, it is called face-centred.

End-centered:

When the atoms are present at the centre of the opposite faces of the crystal, it is known
as End-centred.

Additional information:

There are seven crystal systems and 14 Bravais lattices in this crystal system.

Cell
Crystal system Bravais lattices Interfacial angles
dimensions

Primitive, Face-centered,
Cubic
∘
a = b = c α = β = γ = 90
Body-centered=3

Tetragonal Primitive, Body-centered=2

∘
a = b ≠ c α = β = γ = 90

Primitive, Face-centered,
Orthorhombic Body-centered, End-
∘
a ≠ b ≠ c α = β = γ = 90

centered=4

Monoclinic Primitive, End-centered=2

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12/09/2021, 23:28 What are primitive unit cells and what are nonprimitive class 12 chemistry CBSE

∘ ∘
a ≠ b ≠ c α = γ = 90 , β ≠ 90

Triclinic Primitive=1
Introducing VIP - Your ProgressaIs ≠
OurbResponsibility
≠ c α ≠ β ≠ γ ≠ 90
∘

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Hexagonal Primitive=1 a = b ≠ c α = β = 90 , γ = 120

∘ ∘

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Trigonal or
Primitive=1
∘
Question Answers Related Questions a = b = c α = β = γ ≠ 90
Rhombohedral

Note: - The arrangement of atoms in the crystal can sometimes cause some defects, these
defects are of two types: stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric defects.

- Examples of stoichiometric defects are Frenkel and Schottky defects.

- Examples of non-stoichiometric defects are metal excess and metal deficiency defects.

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Related Questions

The edge length of a face-centered cubic cell of an ionic substance is  508 pm . If the radius of the cation is

 110 pm , the radius (in pm) of the anion is:

A) 288

B) 398

C) 618

D) 144

In a face centred cubic lattice, all atoms at face are shared equally by how many unit cells?

A.8

B.4

C.2

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D.6

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12/09/2021, 23:28 What are primitive unit cells and what are nonprimitive class 12 chemistry CBSE

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