Q. $CaO\$and$\ NaCl$ have the same crystal structure and approximately the same ionic radii. If $U$ is the lattice energy of NaCl, the approximate lattice of CaO is

A) $\frac{U}{2}$
B) $U$
C) $2U$
D) $4U$
Explanation

(d)
Lattice energy,$U = \frac{q_{1}q_{2}}{r^{2}}$
Since, interionic distances in $CaO$ and $NaCl$ are similar, (larger cation has smaller anion and vice versa) $r$ is almost the same. Therefore, lattice energy depends only on charge. Since, the magnitude of charge on $Na^{+}$ and $Cl^{-}$ ions is same $ie,$ unity and that on $Ca^{2 +}$ and $O^{2 -}\$ions is 2 each, therefore, the lattice energy of CaO is four times the lattice energy of$\ NaCl$,$\ ie$,4U

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.