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Ionic lattices

Lattices of $AB$ type

These are lattices where positive ions A and negative ions B are in equal numbers. The relative size of the ions determines the lattice type: If positive and negative ions have approximately the same size, the lattice is often of Cesium chloride type $(Cs^+Cl^-)$ If the diameter of the cations is about half the diameter of the anions, the lattice is often of Sodium chloride type $(Na^+Cl^-)$ If the diameter of the cations is about a quarter of the diameter of the anions, the lattice is often of Sphalerite type $(Zn^{2+}S^{2-})$ (zinc sulfide, zinc blende)

Lattices of $AB_2$ type

These are lattices where there are twice as many anions B than cations A. The relative size of the ions determines the lattice type: If positive and negative ions have approximately the same size, the lattice is often of Fluorite type $(Ca^{2+}(F^-)_2)$ (fluorspar, calcium fluoride) If the diameter of the cations is about half the diameter of the anions, the lattice is often of Rutile type $(Ti^{4+}(O^{2-})_2)$ (titanium(IV) oxide)

The unit cell

The unit cell is the smallest structure of a lattice that repeats itself by translation through the crystal.

Unit cell of cesium chloride

The cell contains $1$ cation (in the centre) and $8\cdot\frac{1}{8}$ $=$ $ 1$ anion. The ions are in contact on the diagonal $d$ of the cell and not on an edge $a$. Therefore: $d$ = diameter of the anion + diameter of the cation $d$ $=$ $a\sqrt{3}$ Volume of the cell = $V$ $=$ $a^3$

Unit cell of sodium chloride

The cell contains $ 1$ cation (in the centre), $6\cdot\frac{1}{2}$ $=$ $3$ anions at the middle of the faces, $8\cdot \frac{1}{8}$ $=$ $1$ anion at the corners and $12\cdot \frac{1}{4}= 3$ cations at the middle of the edges. The ions are only in contact on the edge $a$ and not on the diagonal $d$. Therefore: $a$ = diameter of the anion + diameter of the cation $d$ = $a\sqrt{3}$ Volume of the cell = $V$ $=$ $a^3$

The unit cell determines often the macroscopic cristalline structure, but not always. Cristallography studies the geometry of cristals.