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Tausonite's Unit Cell: Atoms & Formula Explained
Chapter , Problem 12.53(choose chapter or problem)
Tausonite, a mineral composed of \(\mathrm{Sr}, \mathrm{O}\), and \(\mathrm{Ti}\), has the cubic unit cell shown in the drawing.
(a) What is the empirical formula of this mineral?
(b) It is easy to see that \(\mathrm{Ti}\) is coordinated by six oxygen atoms because the \(\mathrm{Ti}\) atom is located at the center of the unit cell. To see the full coordination environment of the other ions, we have to consider neighboring unit cells. How many oxygens are coordinated to strontium?
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Tausonite, a mineral composed of \(\mathrm{Sr}, \mathrm{O}\), and \(\mathrm{Ti}\), has the cubic unit cell shown in the drawing.
(a) What is the empirical formula of this mineral?
(b) It is easy to see that \(\mathrm{Ti}\) is coordinated by six oxygen atoms because the \(\mathrm{Ti}\) atom is located at the center of the unit cell. To see the full coordination environment of the other ions, we have to consider neighboring unit cells. How many oxygens are coordinated to strontium?
Step 1 of 4
Unit Cell: A solid compound consists of atoms arranged uniformly and the smallest unit of this arrangement is called a unit cell. The unit cell structure is used to define the smallest molar ratio of atoms in a compound (empirical formula).
The unit cell can be also studied to determine the number of neighboring atoms of each cell. A cubic unit cell can contain atoms at the corners, body center or face center.
The atoms at the corners are shared by 8 unit cells, while those at the body center are exclusive to each unit cell. The face-centered atoms are shared by 2 unit cells.
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Tausonite's Unit Cell: Atoms & Formula Explained
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Unpack the intricacies of solid-state chemistry, focusing on the unit cell structure of tausonite. Discover its empirical formula, atomic arrangement, and the unique coordination patterns of titanium and strontium with oxygen atoms.