Sphalerite (ZnS) is the chief ore of zinc. In the unit cell of sphalerite, ________
A)all of the octahedral holes are filled with cations.
B)half of the octahedral holes are filled with cations.
C)all of the tetrahedral holes are filled with cations.
D)half of the tetrahedral holes are filled with cations.
E)cations occupy standard atomic positions in the unit cell, not the holes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the sphalerite structure, which is a type of cubic close-packed (ccp) structure, half of the tetrahedral holes are filled with Zn²⁺ cations, while the S²⁻ anions form the ccp lattice.

Sphalerite (ZnS) Is the Chief Ore of Zinc