Unit cell of `Fe_(2)O_(4)(` Ferrous ferrite `)` has `32O^(2-)` ions in the unit cell. Then the unit cell of `Fe_(3)O_(4)` has `:`

Options

A. `16Fe^(2+) `ions
B. `8Fe^(3+)` ions
C. `16Fe^(3+)` ions and `8Fe^(2+)` ions
D. none of these

Explanation

In `Fe_(3)O_(4),Fe^(3+)` and `Fe^(2+)` ions are present in `2:` ratio and may be considered as `Fe_(2)O_(3).FeO`. Oxide ions are arranged in `c.c.p. Fe^(2+)` ion occupy octahedral voids while `Fe^(2+)` ions are equally distributed between octahedral and tetrahedral voids.