ATOMIC PACKING FACTOR

(APF)
Definition:
Atomic packing factor is defined as the ratio of the volume occupied by the total number of atoms per unit
cell to the total volume occupied by the unit cell.

Volume occupied by the total number

of atom per unit cell v
i.e., APF = =
Total volume of the unit cell V

(OR)
No. of atoms per unit cell * Volume of one atom
APF =
Total volume of the unit cell

The packing factor (or) packing density of the three cubic systems can be calculated as follows

(a) Simple Cubic structure (SC)

In simple cubic,

The no. of atoms per unit cell = 1

Volume of 1 atom (spherical) = (4/3) π r3

We know the radius of atom in simple cubic, r = a/2

Volume occupied by the total no. of atoms per unit cell, (v) = 1*4/3 π [a/2]3

Volume of the unit cell (V) = length*breadth*height.

We know that for a cubic system, length = breadth = height = a

V = a *a *a

V = a3

Therefore, density of packing (or) Atomic packing factor (APF) is,

1*(4/3) π (a/2)3
APF= -------------------
A3

APF = π/6 (OR)

APF = 0.52
 Therefore, we can say that 52% volume of the unit cell of SC is occupied by atoms and remaining
48% volume is vacant.

Thus, the packing density is 52%,

Since the packing density is very low, SC has loosely packed structure.

(b) Body-Centred cubic structure (BCC)

In body-centred cubic structure,

The no. of atoms per unit cell = 2

Volume of 2 atoms (spherical) =2*(4/3) πr3

We know the radius of atom in BCC is r = a√3

4
Volume occupied by the atoms per unit cell (v) = 8π a√3
3 4

v = = 8π a3 3 √3
------- ---------
3 4*4*4

Volume occupied by the atoms per unit cell (v) = πa3 √3

----
8

Volume of the unit cell for a cubic system (V) = a3

Atomic packing factor (APF) = (πa3√3/8)

--------------
a3

√3
(or) APF =π ---------

APF = 0.68

Therefore, we can say that 68% volume of the unit cell of BCC is occupied by atoms and remaining 32%
volume is vacant.

Thus the packing density is 68%.

Since the packing density is greater than simple cubic, it has tightly packed structure, when compared to
SC.
(c) Face-Cented cubic structure

In face-cented cubic structure,

The no. of atom per unit cell = 4

Volume of 4 atom = 4 *(4/3)πr3

We know the radius of the atom in FCC, r = a√2

--------

Volume occupied by the atoms per unit cell (v) =16π a√2
------- -------

3 4

v = 16π a3 2√2
------- -------------

3 4*4*4

Volume occupied by the atoms per unit cell v = π a3 √2

------------------

Volume of the unit cell for a cubic system (v) = a3

Atomic packing factor (APF) = π a3 √2/6

------------------

a3

(or)APF = π√2 = 0.74

--------

APF = 0.74