Face-centered cubic (FCC) solid

Definition

A face-centered cubic (FCC) solid is a type of crystalline structure where atoms are located at each corner and the center of all cube faces of a unit cell. This arrangement leads to high packing efficiency.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The FCC structure has a coordination number of 12, meaning each atom is in contact with 12 other atoms.
2. Atoms in an FCC lattice occupy approximately 74% of the volume, making it one of the most densely packed structures.
3. Common examples of materials with an FCC structure include aluminum, copper, gold, and silver.
4. The atomic packing factor (APF) for an FCC structure is 0.74, indicating high density.
5. Each unit cell in an FCC structure contains four atoms: one-eighth from each of the eight corners and one-half from each of the six faces.

Review Questions

• What is the coordination number for atoms in an FCC structure?
• Name three metals that crystallize in an FCC lattice.
• How many atoms are there per unit cell in an FCC crystal?

Related terms

Body-Centered Cubic (BCC): A type of crystalline lattice where atoms are located at each corner and a single atom at the center of the cube.

Coordination Number: The number of nearest neighbors surrounding a central atom in a crystal structure.

Atomic Packing Factor (APF): The fraction of volume occupied by atoms in a given crystal structure.