12-22

12.19 This problem asks that we compute the density of CaF2. A unit cell of the fluorite structure is
shown in Figure 12.5. It may be seen that there are four CaF2 units per unit cell (i.e., n' = 4 formula units/unit cell).

Assume that for each of the eight small cubes in the unit cell

2 r 2+ + 2 r −
a = Ca F
3

and, from Table 12.3

2 (0.100 nm) + 2 (0.133 nm)

a = = 0.269 nm = 2.69 x 10-8 cm
3

The volume of the unit cell is just

3
[
VC = (2a) 3 = (2)(2.69 x 10-3 cm) ] = 1.56 x 10−22 cm3

Thus, from Equation 12.1

n'Ź( ACa + 2 AF )
ρ =
VC N A

(4 formula units/unit cell) [40.08 g/mol + (2)(19.00 g/mol)]

=
(1.56 x 10-22 cm3/unit cell)( 6.023 x 1023 formula units/mol)

= 3.33 g/cm3

The measured density is 3.18 g/cm3.

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