This chapter belongs to a previous NCERT/CBSE curriculum and is not part of the current 2026-27 chapter list. Removed in 2022-23.
Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry - Chapter The Solid State. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 2, Question 7:
How will you distinguish between the following pairs of terms:
(i) Hexagonal close-packing and cubic close-packing?
(ii) Crystal lattice and unit cell?
(iii) Tetrahedral void and octahedral void?
. With detailed answers and explanations for each chapter, students can strengthen their understanding and prepare confidently for exams. Ideal for CBSE and other board students, this resource will simplify your study experience.How will you distinguish between the following pairs of terms:
(i) Hexagonal close-packing and cubic close-packing?
(ii) Crystal lattice and unit cell?
(iii) Tetrahedral void and octahedral void?
| S No | Hexagonal close packing | Cubic close packing | |
| 1 | It is 2dimensional packing | It is a 3 dimensional packing | |
| 2 | Here the sphere of 2nd row sit into the depressions in between the spheres of the 1st row |
|
|
| 3 | It is abbrebiated as hcp |
It is abbrebiated as ccp |
A 2-D hexagonal close-packing contains two types of triangular voids (a and b) as shown in figure 1. Let us call this 2-D structure as layer A. Now, particles are kept in the voids present in layer A (it can be easily observed from figures 2 and 3 that only one of the voids will be occupied in the process, i.e., either a or b). Let us call the particles or spheres present in the voids of layer A as layer B. Now, two types of voids are present in layer B (c and d). Unlike the voids present in layer A, the two types of voids present in layer B are not similar. Void c is surrounded by 4 spheres and is called the tetrahedral void. Void d is surrounded by 6 spheres and is called the octahedral void.
Now, the next layer can be placed over layer B in 2 ways.
Case 1: When the third layer (layer C) is placed over the second one (layer B) in such a manner that the spheres of layer C occupy the tetrahedral voids c.
In this case we get hexagonal close-packing. This is shown in figure 4. In figure 4.1, layer B is present over the voids a and layer C is present over the voids c. In figure 4.2, layer B is present over the voids b and layer C is present over the voids c. It can be observed from the figure that in this arrangement, the spheres present in layer C are present directly above the spheres of layer A. Hence, we can say that the layers in hexagonal close-packing are arranged in an ABAB….. pattern.
Case 2: When the third layer (layer C) is placed over layer B in such a manner that the spheres of layer C occupy the octahedral voids d.
In this case we get cubic close-packing. In figure 5.1, layer B is present over the voids a and layer C is present over the voids d. In figure 5.2, layer B is present over the voids b and layer C is present over the voids d. It can be observed from the figure that the arrangement of particles in layer C is completely different from that in layers A or B. When the fourth layer is kept over the third layer, the arrangement of particles in this layer is similar to that in layer A. Hence, we can say that the layers in cubic close-packing are arranged in an ABCABC….. pattern.
(ii)
| S. No | crystal lattice | unit cell |
| 1 | It a regular 3 dimensional arrangement of the points in a crystal | It is smallest but complete unit in the space lattice which is when repeated over & again in 3 dimensions |
(iii)
| S. No | Tetrahedral void | Octahedral void |
| 1 | It is a vacant space among four spheres having tetrahedral arrangement | It is avoid formed by 2 equilateral triangles with apices in opposite directions |
| 2 | There are 2 tetrahedral sites for each sphere | There is only 1 octahedral site for each sphere |
The reaction between A and B is first order with respect to A and zero order with respect to B. Fill in the blanks in the following table:
| Experiment |
A/ mol L - 1 |
B/ mol L - 1 |
Initial rate/mol L - 1 min - 1 |
| I | 0.1 | 0.1 |
2.0 × 10 - 2 |
| II | -- | 0.2 |
4.0 × 10 - 2 |
| III | 0.4 | 0.4 | -- |
| IV | -- | 0.2 |
2.0 × 10 - 2 |
NCERT questions are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and theories discussed in the chapter. Here are some tips to help you answer NCERT questions effectively:
Stay updated with our latest educational content and study tips
It’s not about starting over if you took a break to care for children, take care of yourself, be healthy or for any other reason. This is a realistic strategy for the recovery of skills, selection of the right job, and overcoming the resume problem. One year, three years or 10 years of a career … Read more
Read MoreThere’s no need to score 95% or achieve a JEE/NEET rank. You don’t need to score 95% or rank in JEE/NEET to build a solid career. A candid and pragmatic guide to the routes that actually work for students who have an average mark and what to do when faced with the options. If … Read more
Read MoreAI tools, online platforms that are much cheaper than coaching centres and the changing idea of what “structure” even means have upended this argument more in the past two years than in the decade preceding it. Here’s what is really the case for 2026 – and what has actually stayed the same. If you look … Read more
Read MoreStarting to make a new career after 30 isn’t a start from scratch. Marketing, teaching, financial, retail, healthcare, sales and other professionals can pursue careers in technology by applying the existing knowledge and skills they have acquired to new technology skills. There are various ways to enter the technology industry, such as in IT support, … Read more
Read MoreCalculate percentage from obtained marks and total marks.
Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry - Chapter . This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Excercise 2 , Question 7: How will you distinguish between the following pairs of terms: (i) Hexagonal close-packing and cu....
Fresh educational articles and updates.
Most-read articles from SaralStudy.
Fast access to frequently used study resources.
Recently viewed articles based on SaralStudy activity.
Add Comment