Question:medium

The ratio of edge lengths (fcc lattice) of Cu and Ag is 9:10. If $M_{Ag} = 108 \, g\,mol^{-1}$ and $M_{Cu} = 63.5 \, g\,mol^{-1}$, find the ratio of their densities.

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For cubic crystals: \(\rho \propto \frac{M}{a^3}\). Always cube the edge length ratio.
Updated On: Jul 18, 2026
  • 0.8
  • 0.7
  • 0.6
  • 0.9
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Set up the density formula for a fcc metal.
For any fcc unit cell, density is $\rho = \dfrac{ZM}{a^3 N_A}$, where $Z = 4$ for fcc, $M$ is the molar mass and $a$ is the edge length. Since $Z$ and $N_A$ are the same constant for both metals, they will cancel when we take a ratio, so we do not need their actual values.

Step 2: Write the ratio the way the question asks for it, Cu to Ag, from the start.
\[ \frac{\rho_{Cu}}{\rho_{Ag}} = \frac{M_{Cu}}{M_{Ag}} \times \frac{a_{Ag}^3}{a_{Cu}^3} \]
Setting it up this way avoids having to flip the ratio at the end.

Step 3: Use the given edge length ratio.
We are told $a_{Cu} : a_{Ag} = 9 : 10$, so $\dfrac{a_{Ag}}{a_{Cu}} = \dfrac{10}{9}$.
\[ \left(\frac{a_{Ag}}{a_{Cu}}\right)^3 = \left(\frac{10}{9}\right)^3 = \frac{1000}{729} \approx 1.372 \]

Step 4: Use the given molar masses.
\[ \frac{M_{Cu}}{M_{Ag}} = \frac{63.5}{108} \approx 0.588 \]

Step 5: Multiply the two factors.
\[ \frac{\rho_{Cu}}{\rho_{Ag}} = 0.588 \times 1.372 \approx 0.807 \]
This rounds to about $0.8$, matching one option cleanly, so no rounding ambiguity is left.

Step 6: Final answer.
\[ \boxed{0.8} \]
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