In a two-component alloy the more abundant metal can be thought of as the solven
ID: 1041368 • Letter: I
Question
In a two-component alloy the more abundant metal can be thought of as the solvent while the less abundant metal can be thought of as the solute. Which of the following would NOT change the orientation of atoms in the solvent’s unit cell?
I.
a solute with the same atomic radius as the solvent
II.
a solute that was sufficiently small to fit into holes in the solvent’s unit cell
III.
a solvent that was sufficiently small to fit into holes in the solute’s unit cell
I.
a solute with the same atomic radius as the solvent
II.
a solute that was sufficiently small to fit into holes in the solvent’s unit cell
III.
a solvent that was sufficiently small to fit into holes in the solute’s unit cell
Explanation / Answer
As rightly pointed by you, these are called as solid solutions.
These kinds of solutions can be prepared by incorporating the solute ions into the crystal lattice of the solvent ions. Generally, it was done by two ways. 1. Replacing the solvent ion by solute ion; 2. By "fitting in" the solute ions at the interstitial site of the solvent ions.
1. Replacement of the solvent ions by the solute ions are possible only when a) the solute and solvent ions carry the same charge; b) the size of the solute ion must be almost the same (< 15% for metal and little higher for non-metals).
2. "Fitting in" the solute into the solvent medium is possible only when the size of the solute ion matches with the "tetrahedral" and "octahedral" holes created by the closely packed solvent ions.
Under both the above conditions, the orientation of the ions in the solvent's unit cell will not change. When the size of the solute ion is sufficiently large then the formation of solid solutions are difficult and it will bring a definite change in the orientation of atoms in the solvents unit cell.
Thus the answer is Case III.
All the best.
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