Question

Define coordination number. How does this differ from atomic packing factor?

Answer 1

Answer:

Coordination number:

        Coordination number can be defined as the number of nearest atoms which touch the central atom.In simple word the number of neighbours atoms which touches a an atoms.

Atomic packing factor :

It is also known as packing efficiency.It is the fraction of volume in a Crystal which is filled by constituent particles.It is always less than 1.Generally it is represented in the fraction.

Ex:

Lets take FCC cubic cell

Coordination number = 12 .

Atomic packing factor = 74%