In zinc blends structure the coordination number of `Zn^(2+)` ion is

Options

A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8

Answer

To determine the coordination number of the `Zn^(2+)` ion in the zinc blende structure, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Zinc Blende Structure**:
- Zinc blende, also known as sphalerite, has a face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice structure. In this structure, the anions (S²⁻ ions) form the FCC lattice.

2. **Identify the Position of Cations**:
- In the zinc blende structure, the cations (Zn²⁺ ions) occupy the tetrahedral voids of the FCC lattice formed by the anions.

3. **Determine the Coordination Number**:
- The coordination number of an ion refers to the number of nearest oppositely charged ions surrounding it. For tetrahedral voids, the coordination number is defined as the number of anions surrounding a cation in that void.

4. **Analyze the Tetrahedral Voids**:
- Each tetrahedral void in the FCC structure is surrounded by four anions. Therefore, the coordination number of the `Zn^(2+)` ion, which occupies these tetrahedral voids, is 4.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Thus, the coordination number of the `Zn^(2+)` ion in the zinc blende structure is 4.

### Final Answer:
The coordination number of `Zn^(2+)` ion in the zinc blende structure is **4**.

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