Tetrahedral hole

Definition

A tetrahedral hole is a type of interstitial site in a crystal lattice where an atom or ion can fit into the space surrounded by four atoms or ions arranged at the corners of a tetrahedron. It is commonly found in close-packed structures like face-centered cubic (FCC) and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) lattices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tetrahedral holes are smaller than octahedral holes.
2. Each atom in a face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice creates two tetrahedral holes.
3. In a hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure, there are twice as many tetrahedral holes as there are atoms.
4. Tetrahedral coordination number is 4, meaning each hole is surrounded by four atoms or ions.
5. Cations often occupy tetrahedral holes in ionic compounds to maximize electrostatic stability.

Review Questions

Related terms

Octahedral Hole: An interstitial site in a crystal lattice surrounded by six atoms or ions arranged at the corners of an octahedron.

Face-Centered Cubic (FCC): A type of crystal structure where atoms are located at each corner and the centers of all the cube faces.

Hexagonal Close-Packed (HCP): A type of crystal structure where layers of atoms are stacked alternately to create a hexagonal arrangement.