Answer :
(a) Total number of atoms in the cell = 6
(b) The coordination number of HCP is, 12
(c) The atomic packing factor is, 74.0 %
Explanation :
<u>Hexagonal close-packed structure (HCP) :</u>
Crystal structure : The manner in which the atoms or ions are spatially arranged.
(a) The HCP unit cell consist of three primitive unit cells in a hexagonal prism. That means, 3 atoms are in the middle layer and 12 atoms are at top and bottom layers and 2 face atoms.
So, the total number of atoms in the cell = 3 + (1/2)×2 + (1/6)×6 × 2 = 6
(b) Coordination number : It is defined as any constituent particle in a crystal is the number of its nearest neighbours.
The coordination number of HCP is, 12
(c) Packing fraction or factor : It is defined as the percentage of the total space filled by the particles.


