The Solid State Complete NCERT Resource Guide
Are you looking for the ultimate guide to master The Solid State Class 12 Solutions? You are at the right place. This guide provides Updated NCERT Solutions along with Important Questions and Board Exam Questions 2026. This chapter carries solid weightage in your CBSE boards and competitive exams like NEET and JEE. Let's dive deep into the concepts and secure those full marks!
Learning Objectives
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Differentiate between amorphous and crystalline solids.
- Classify crystalline solids based on binding forces.
- Visualize and calculate the parameters of different types of unit cells.
- Understand packing efficiency and calculate the density of a cubic crystal.
- Identify point defects in solids (Schottky, Frenkel, and non-stoichiometric defects).
- Explain the electrical and magnetic properties of solids based on band theory.
Key Concepts, Definitions & Formulas
Before moving to the NCERT Solutions, let's quickly revise the key formulas and terms:
- Crystalline Solids: Solids with a regular, long-range orderly arrangement of particles. They have sharp melting points and are anisotropic (different physical properties in different directions).
- Amorphous Solids: Solids with an irregular, short-range arrangement. They soften over a range of temperatures and are isotropic.
- Space Lattice: A regular 3D arrangement of constituent particles (atoms, ions, or molecules) in space.
- Unit Cell: The smallest repeating unit of a crystal lattice which, when repeated in different directions, generates the entire lattice.
- Number of Atoms per Unit Cell ($Z$):
- Simple Cubic (SCC): $Z = 8 \times \frac{1}{8} = 1$
- Body-Centered Cubic (BCC): $Z = \left(8 \times \frac{1}{8}\right) + 1 = 2$
- Face-Centered Cubic (FCC): $Z = \left(8 \times \frac{1}{8}\right) + \left(6 \times \frac{1}{2}\right) = 4$
- Density of a Unit Cell Formula: $$\rho = \frac{Z \cdot M}{a^3 \cdot N_A}$$ Where $\rho$ is density, $Z$ is number of atoms, $M$ is molar mass, $a$ is edge length, and $N_A$ is Avogadro's number ($6.022 \times 10^{23} \text{ mol}^{-1}$).
- Packing Efficiency Metrics:
- Simple Cubic: 52.4%
- BCC: 68%
- FCC/CCP: 74%
- Radius ($r$) and Edge Length ($a$) Relationships:
- Simple Cubic: $r = \frac{a}{2}$
- BCC: $r = \frac{\sqrt{3}a}{4}$
- FCC: $r = \frac{a}{2\sqrt{2}}$
Full NCERT Solutions (Step-by-Step)
Complete structural step-by-step verified configurations to unlock maximum points in your assessment tracks.
Question 1.1: Define the term 'amorphous'. Give a few examples of amorphous solids.
Step 2: Key Properties. They exhibit a short-range order only and undergo irregular, unsymmetrical cleavage structural patterns when subjected to clean structural cutting tools.
Step 3: Verification Examples. Standard verified systemic examples include Glass, rubber, plastics, and amorphous silicon systems.
Question 1.2: What makes a glass different from a solid such as quartz? Under what conditions could quartz be converted into glass?
Step 2: Thermodynamic Distinction. Quartz exhibits a clean, sharp single melting point threshold, whereas glass softens continuously across an extended temperature spectrum.
Step 3: Conversion Criteria. Quartz is converted into glass by melting it at high thermal thresholds followed by rapid cooling execution (quenching process). This fast dynamic phase change denies structural particles the critical timeline required to shift back into a long-range crystalline design configuration.
Question 1.3: Classify each of the following solids as ionic, metallic, molecular, network (covalent) or amorphous:
(a) Tetraphosphorus decaoxide ($\text{P}_4\text{O}_{10}$) (b) Ammonium phosphate ($(\text{NH}_4)_3\text{PO}_4$) (c) SiC (d) $\text{I}_2$ (e) $\text{P}_4$ (f) Plastic (g) Graphite (h) Brass (i) Rb (j) LiBr (k) Si
Step 2: Metallic Entities. Brass structural alloy profiles and rubidium ($\text{Rb}$) are classified under metallic matrix configurations.
Step 3: Molecular Entities. Tetraphosphorus decaoxide ($\text{P}_4\text{O}_{10}$), molecular iodine ($\text{I}_2$), and elemental white phosphorus ($\text{P}_4$) map to discrete molecular systems bound by intermolecular forces.
Step 4: Network / Covalent Systems. Silicon carbide ($\text{SiC}$), continuous graphite planes, and macro-covalent elemental silicon ($\text{Si}$) fall under macro-network categories.
Step 5: Amorphous Matrix. Generic synthetic polymer plastics form disordered non-crystalline clusters.
Question 1.4: (i) What is meant by coordination number? (ii) What is the coordination number of atoms: (a) in a cubic close-packed structure? (b) in a body-centered cubic structure?
Step 2: CCP Metric calculation. In a Cubic Close-Packed system (CCP/FCC), the coordination structural value yields exactly $12$.
Step 3: BCC Metric calculation. In a Body-Centered Cubic system (BCC), the target coordination structural value yields exactly $8$.
Question 1.5: How can you determine the atomic mass of an unknown metal if you know its density and the dimension of its unit cell? Explain.
- $\rho$ is the measured solid state density array profile of the metal matrix.
- $a$ equals the dimensional edge translation metric of the unit cube ($a^3$ forms the structural cell volume profile).
- $N_A$ is the global Avogadro constant benchmark index ($6.022 \times 10^{23} \text{ mol}^{-1}$).
- $Z$ acts as the effective net structural atom count mapping explicitly to specific unit classifications (SCC=$1$, BCC=$2$, FCC=$4$).
Question 1.6: 'Stability of a crystal is reflected in the magnitude of its melting points'. Comment. Collect melting points of solid water, ethyl alcohol, diethyl ether and methane from a data book. What can you say about the intermolecular forces between these molecules?
Step 2: Data Metrics Compilation. Thermodynamic melting point values are configured as follows:
- Solid Water (Ice matrix): $273 \text{ K}$
- Ethyl alcohol system: $158.5 \text{ K}$
- Diethyl ether system: $156.8 \text{ K}$
- Methane structure: $90.5 \text{ K}$
Question 1.7: How will you distinguish between the following pairs of terms?
(i) Hexagonal close-packing and cubic close-packing (ii) Crystal lattice and unit cell (iii) Tetrahedral void and octahedral void
Step 2: Crystal Lattice versus Unit Cell. A space crystal lattice acts as an infinite, expansive 3D mathematical blueprint map plotting exact coordinate locations of particles. A unit cell serves as the structural minimal brick unit which when cloned sequentially along spatial paths tracks out the complete systemic layout.
Step 3: Tetrahedral versus Octahedral Voids. A tetrahedral void maps out a triangular pocket configuration sealed when a single layer sphere sets directly atop three nested cluster components in an adjacent plane layer (total bounded sphere count = $4$). An octahedral void establishes a central point formed where opposing triangular configurations of sphere elements intersect in space (total bounded sphere count = $6$).
Question 1.8: How many lattice points are there in one unit cell of each of the following lattice?
(i) Face-centered cubic (ii) Face-centered tetragonal (iii) Body-centered cubic
Step 2: Face-Centered Tetragonal Calculations. Despite dimensional scaling variance along the $c$-axis, point placements track matching geometric coordinate maps: $8 \text{ corners} + 6 \text{ face-centers} = 14$ locations.
Step 3: BCC Matrix Calculations. Points are pinned explicitly at $8$ corner locations plus $1$ unique singular body central coordinate point, yielding: $8 + 1 = 9$ lattice points.
Question 1.9: Explain: (i) The basis of similarities and differences between metallic and ionic crystals. (ii) Ionic solids are hard and brittle.
Step 2: Metallic versus Ionic Divergences. Ionic crystal blocks are comprised of tightly localized, non-mobile anion and cation configurations that enable current migration pathways only when melted or dissolved. Metallic crystals comprise a dynamic array of stationary positive kernel points bathed in an uninterrupted sea of highly responsive, delocalized conduction valence electrons.
Step 3: Mechanical Brittleness Mechanics. Applying localized structural shear forces triggers clean planar sliding offsets along specific interior planes. This translation places ions of identical electrical signs directly into adjacent matching coordinates. Intense localized electrostatic repulsions instantly fracture the lattice layout along the slip vector line.
Question 1.10: Calculate the efficiency of packing in case of a metal crystal for:
(i) simple cubic (ii) body-centered cubic (iii) face-centered cubic
Question 1.11: Silver crystallizes in fcc lattice. If edge length of the cell is $4.07 \times 10^{-8} \text{ cm}$ and density is $10.5 \text{ g cm}^{-3}$, calculate the atomic mass of silver.
Step 2: Operational Calculation Matrix. Apply isolated mathematical mass transformation: $$M = \frac{\rho \cdot a^3 \cdot N_A}{Z}$$ $$M = \frac{10.5 \times (4.07 \times 10^{-8})^3 \times 6.022 \times 10^{23}}{4}$$ $$M = \frac{10.5 \times 67.42 \times 10^{-24} \times 6.022 \times 10^{23}}{4} = \frac{426.32}{4} = 106.57 \text{ g mol}^{-1}$$ Step 3: Conclusion. The systematic structural atomic weight parameter calculates out safely to approximately $107.9 \text{ g mol}^{-1}$.
Question 1.12: A cubic solid is made of two elements P and Q. Atoms of Q are at the corners of the cube and P at the body-center. What is the formula of the compound? What are the coordination numbers of P and Q?
Step 2: Structural Formula Evaluation. The core calculated component ratio tracks down symmetrically to $P:Q = 1:1$, setting the clear baseline empirical formula as $\text{PQ}$.
Step 3: Coordination Assignment. Because this geometric arrangement aligns symmetrically with a body-centered structural configuration, both structural elements $P$ and $Q$ possess matching coordination indexes of $8$.
Question 1.13: Niobium crystallizes in body-centered cubic structure. If density is $8.55 \text{ g cm}^{-3}$, calculate atomic radius of niobium using its atomic mass $93 \text{ u}$.
Question 1.14: If the radius of the octahedral void is $r$ and radius of the atoms in close packing is $R$, derive relation between $r$ and $R$.
Step 2: Dimensional Geometry Mapping. The foundational triangle side parameters track out as: $$AB = BC = 2R$$ The structural triangle hypotenuse leg parameter sweeps across the complete diameter profile of the interior pocket void space: $$AC = R + 2r + R = 2R + 2r = 2(R+r)$$ Step 3: Matrix Equation Integration. Invoke the Pythagorean spatial theorem model: $$AC^2 = AB^2 + BC^2$$ $$[2(R+r)]^2 = (2R)^2 + (2R)^2 = 8R^2$$ Take a clean square root of both sides of our spatial relation matrix: $$2(R+r) = \sqrt{8}R = 2\sqrt{2}R$$ $$R + r = \sqrt{2}R \implies r = \sqrt{2}R - R = (\sqrt{2}-1)R$$ Substituting the constant geometric value $\sqrt{2} \approx 1.414$ isolates our final structural scaling benchmark: $$r = 0.414R$$
Question 1.15: Copper crystallizes into a fcc lattice with edge length $3.61 \times 10^{-8} \text{ cm}$. Show that the calculated density is in agreement with its measured value of $8.92 \text{ g cm}^{-3}$.
Step 2: System Density Resolution. Deploy standard structural density analysis tracks: $$\rho = \frac{Z \cdot M}{a^3 \cdot N_A} = \frac{4 \times 63.5}{(3.61 \times 10^{-8})^3 \times 6.022 \times 10^{23}}$$ $$\rho = \frac{254}{47.04 \times 10^{-24} \times 6.022 \times 10^{23}} = \frac{254}{28.33} = 8.96 \text{ g cm}^{-3}$$ Step 3: Validation statement. The calculated analytical value ($8.96 \text{ g cm}^{-3}$) aligns precisely with small experimental variants against the target empirical bench finding ($8.92 \text{ g cm}^{-3}$).
Question 1.16: Analysis shows that nickel oxide has the formula $\text{Ni}_{0.98}\text{O}_{1.00}$. What fractions of nickel exist as $\text{Ni}^{2+}$ and $\text{Ni}^{3+}$ ions?
Step 2: Charge Balancing Formulations. Let the population subset of the lower oxidation state element $\text{Ni}^{2+}$ equal variable $x$. The matching higher oxidation parameter component tracking $\text{Ni}^{3+}$ evaluates as $(98 - x)$. Enforce strict global lattice electrical neutrality constraints: $$\text{Total positive charge configuration} = \text{Total negative charge configuration}$$ $$2(x) + 3(98 - x) = 2(100)$$ $$2x + 294 - 3x = 200 \implies -x = -94 \implies x = 94$$ Step 3: Distribution Resolution.
- The complete aggregate metric for $\text{Ni}^{2+}$ ions yields exactly $94$.
- The matching aggregate component value for $\text{Ni}^{3+}$ tracks out as $98 - 94 = 4$.
- Fractional concentration profiles for $\text{Ni}^{2+}$ structural points: $\frac{94}{98} = 0.959$ (Equates directly to $95.9\%$).
- Fractional concentration profiles for $\text{Ni}^{3+}$ structural points: $\frac{4}{98} = 0.041$ (Equates directly to $4.1\%$).
Question 1.17: What is a semiconductor? Describe the two main types of semiconductors and contrast their conduction mechanism.
Step 2: n-type Electronic Mechanics. Produced when a pristine Group 14 base matrix tracking host points (like $\text{Si}$ or $\text{Ge}$) is engineered via doping with pentavalent structural impurities drawn from Group 15 nodes (like $\text{P}$ or $\text{As}$). The non-bonded extra fifth valence electron is unmapped to formal bonds, entering delocalized conduction channels as a negative charge carrier.
Step 3: p-type Electronic Mechanics. Formed when host Group 14 matrices are doped with structural trivalent impurity inclusions originating from Group 13 nodes (like $\text{B}$ or $\text{Al}$). This structural mismatch establishes empty electronic vacancies or positive holes. Electrical conductivity propagates cleanly as ambient electrons step sequentially into these vacant holes.
Question 1.18: Non-stoichiometric cuprous oxide, $\text{Cu}_2\text{O}$ can be prepared in laboratory. In this oxide, copper to oxygen ratio is slightly less than 2:1. Can you account for the fact that this substance is a p-type semiconductor?
Step 2: Electrical Balance Resolution. To sustain total electrical charge neutral equilibrium parameters across the lattice space, adjacent matching copper positions must undergo tracking oxidization updates transforming them into divalent cupric ions ($\text{Cu}^{2+}$).
Step 3: Electrical Transport Mechanics. Conduction mechanics move forward as electronic charges step systematically into adjacent positive vacancy zones, effectively driving a sequential cascade of positive electron holes across the solid grid structure. This confirms its performance profile matches p-type semiconducting standards.
Question 1.19: Ferric oxide crystallizes in a hexagonal close-packed array of oxide ions with two out of every three octahedral holes occupied by ferric ions. Derive the formula of the ferric oxide.
Step 2: Space Hole Distribution Calculation. The calculated structural count of available octahedral spatial interstitial void coordinates scales explicitly as 1:1 with host lattice points, equaling precisely $N$.
Step 3: Component Multiplicity Resolution. Ferric target ions ($\text{Fe}^{3+}$) are confined to exactly $\frac{2}{3}$ of our computed spatial octahedral void inventory. Hence, the absolute population index matches down to: $\frac{2}{3} \times N = \frac{2N}{3}$.
Step 4: Component Simplification Logic. Evaluate structural component ratios: $$\text{Fe}^{3+} : \text{O}^{2-} = \frac{2N}{3} : N = 2 : 3$$ This sets the final systematic structural empirical formula profile directly as $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3$.
Question 1.20: Classify each of the following as being either a p-type or an n-type semiconductor: (i) Ge doped with In (ii) B doped with Si.
Step 2: Option (ii) Grid Mapping. Boron ($\text{B}$) registers natively as a Group 13 element node. Silicon ($\text{Si}$) acts as a Group 14 tetravalent doping injection agent. Inserting an element containing a superior valence electron count into a lower group matrix introduces surplus unbound mobile conducting electrons, defining an n-type semiconductor matrix.
Question 1.21: Gold (atomic radius $0.144 \text{ nm}$) crystallizes in a face-centered cubic unit cell. What is the length of a side of the cell?
Step 2: Equation Evaluation steps. Apply standard face diagonal linear translation formulas: $$a = 2\sqrt{2}r$$ $$a = 2 \times 1.414 \times 0.144 \text{ nm} = 0.407 \text{ nm}$$ Step 3: Metric Tracking. The computed edge length parameter resolves cleanly to $0.407 \text{ nm}$ (which scales natively to $407 \text{ pm}$).
Question 1.22: In terms of band theory, what is the difference (i) between a conductor and an insulator (ii) between a conductor and a semiconductor?
Step 2: Conductor versus Semiconductor Architecture. Conductors retain continuously open electronic transport fields without an active band gap. Semiconductors feature a small, narrow forbidden energy gap. At absolute zero, they function strictly as insulators; however, at elevated temperatures, fractions of valence electrons capture sufficient thermal kinetic inputs to step across the gap, activating lattice conductivity.
Question 1.23: Explain the following terms with suitable examples: (i) Schottky defect (ii) Frenkel defect (iii) Interstitials (iv) F-centers.
Step 2: Frenkel Defect Mechanics. A stoichiometric structural dislocation occurrence where a compact ion variant (predominantly the smaller structural metallic cation) slips its standard position coordinate to rest inside an adjacent interstitial spatial void. Global crystal density parameters are strictly unchanged. Ground verified example: $\text{AgCl}, \text{ZnS}$.
Step 3: Interstitials Profile. Free stray atom components or chemical ions that wedge directly into vacant interstitial spatial void coordinate gaps located between structural master lattice nodes.
Step 4: F-centers Physics. Anionic structural position vacancies created within non-stoichiometric metal-excess crystals that serve as tracking traps for single unpaired conduction electrons. These isolated electrons absorb specific ambient wave packets, imparting distinctive color configurations onto the crystal block via excitation pathways (e.g., $\text{LiCl}$ matrices transitioning to distinct pink shades).
Question 1.24: Aluminium crystallizes in a cubic close-packed structure. Its metallic radius is $125 \text{ pm}$. (i) What is the length of the side of the unit cell? (ii) How many unit cells are there in $1.00 \text{ cm}^3$ of aluminium?
Question 1.25: If NaCl is doped with $10^{-3} \text{ mol}\%$ of $\text{SrCl}_2$, what is the concentration of cation vacancies?
Step 2: Molar Scale Determination. Track the input ratio values against absolute macro bases: $$\text{Vacancies tracked per 100 moles of base lattice matrix} = 10^{-3} \text{ mol}$$ $$\text{Vacancies calculated per singular isolated mole unit} = \frac{10^{-3}}{100} = 10^{-5} \text{ mol}$$ Step 3: Absolute Particulate Counting steps. Convert molar values into discrete numerical vacancies using Avogadro's constant: $$\text{Vacancy Concentration} = 10^{-5} \times N_A = 10^{-5} \times 6.022 \times 10^{23} = 6.022 \times 10^{18} \text{ vacancies per mole}$$
Question 1.26: Explain the following with suitable examples: (i) Ferromagnetism (ii) Paramagnetism (iii) Ferrimagnetism (iv) Antiferromagnetism (v) 12-16 and 13-15 group compounds.
Step 2: Paramagnetism Properties. Material blocks experiencing loose, weak attraction indicators under active external magnetic fields due to the isolated operations of unpaired electron shells. Magnetic behaviors drop out entirely upon the extraction of external fields. Verification example: $\text{O}_2, \text{Cu}^{2+}$.
Step 3: Ferrimagnetism Properties. Occurs when localized coordinate domain field loops point toward both parallel and anti-parallel headings in asymmetrical quantities, sustaining a net remaining internal coordinate field offset. Verification example: $\text{Fe}_3\text{O}_4$.
Step 4: Antiferromagnetism Properties. Systems containing structural domain arrays configured into anti-parallel orientation sets in perfectly equal quantities, nullifying global internal magnetic properties down to zero. Verification example: $\text{MnO}$.
Step 5: 12-16 and 13-15 Compounds. Advanced structural solid-state compound formulations fabricated by combining Group 12 or 13 inputs alongside matching Group 16 or 15 counter-elements (e.g., $\text{ZnS}, \text{GaAs}$ matrices). These structures replicate the electronic band profiles of pure Group 14 semiconductor components.
Extra Important Questions (Board Style)
Target verification tasks matching high-yield board testing frameworks engineered to lock down full marks in your 2026 exams.
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Which of the following is an amorphous solid?
A) Graphite
B) Quartz glass ($\text{SiO}_2$)
C) Chrome alum
D) Silicon carbide ($\text{SiC}$)
Step 1: Structural Verification. Quartz glass lacks a long-range orderly spatial configuration, which classifies it natively as an amorphous network solid.
Q2. The packing efficiency in a body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice is:
A) 52.4%
B) 68%
C) 74%
D) 80%
Step 1: Metric Verification. Derived by computing total dimensional workspace space populated by exactly two hard sphere units centered across an isolated base cube.
Section B: Assertion-Reason Questions
Directions: Choose option (A) if both statements are true and the reason provides the exact explanation. Choose (B) if both are true but independent. Choose (C) if the assertion is true but the reason is false. Choose (D) if assertion is false.
Q3. Assertion (A): Frenkel defect is not found in pure alkali metal halides.
Reason (R): Alkali metal ions have large sizes which cannot easily fit into interstitial spaces.
Step 1: Structural Validation. Frenkel imperfections necessitate wide geometric size deltas between ionic components. Alkali metallic cations are overly large, preventing them from structurally executing displacements into tightly constrained interstitial spatial void coordinates.
Section C: Short & Long Answer Questions
Q4. What type of stoichiometric defect is shown by AgBr?
Q5. Calculate the distance between light-scattering planes if a first-order reflection is observed at $30^\circ$ using X-rays of wavelength $1.54 \text{ \AA}$.
Step 3: Planar Tracking Resolution. $$1 \times 1.54 = 2 \times d \times 0.5 \implies d = 1.54 \text{ \AA}$$
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Confusing HCP and CCP Formulas: Remember that both HCP and CCP/FCC options deliver identical top-tier packing efficiencies of 74% and matching coordination numbers of 12. Do not mix up their layer stack strategies ($ABAB$ tracks to HCP, while $ABCABC$ targets CCP exclusively).
- Unit Conversions in Density Problems: This is where most students lose critical marks! Edge dimensions ($a$) are typically expressed in picometers ($\text{pm}$). You must cleanly execute scalar conversions transforming them into centimeters ($\text{cm}$) before trying to calculate unit densities ($\rho$) in $\text{g cm}^{-3}$. $$1 \text{ pm} = 10^{-10} \text{ cm}$$
- Frenkel vs. Schottky Defect Density Shifts: Remember that Schottky vacancies remove active mass components away from the macro structure, dropping overall density. Frenkel defects merely shuffle local items internally, preserving absolute global crystal densities.
Exam Preparation Tips
- Practice Density Numericals: A 3-mark numerical processing problem constructed around our cell density formula is virtually guaranteed every year. Practice transposing variables for mass, edges, and cell counts.
- Draw Neat Diagrams: When describing point defect fields like Schottky or Frenkel zones, sketch out a clear coordinate block representing alternating cation and anion items to secure maximum points from grading checkers easily.
- Master the Crucial Anomalies: Keep specific exceptions memorized—$\text{AgBr}$ exhibits dual defect options; $\text{ZnO}$ shifts into yellow profiles upon thermal contact via tracking metal excess developments. These function as favorite 1-mark examiner selections.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Chapter 1 The Solid State important for CBSE Class 12 Board exams?
2. What is an F-center and why is it important?
3. Which structure has the maximum packing efficiency?
4. Why does the conductivity of semiconductors increase with temperature?
5. What is the difference between isotropic and anisotropic natures?
Conclusion: Lucky, mastering Chapter 1 is all about visualization and structured numerical execution! Keep your conversion parameters clean, revise your unit cell equations regularly, and ensure you check our solutions for subsequent chapters to unlock absolute elite chemistry board scoring tiers this year!