Question

The structure of manganese fluoride can be described asa simple cubic array of manganese ions with fluoride ions at the center of each edge of the cubic unit cell. What is the charge of the manganese ions in this compound?

Short answer

A simple cubic array of Mn ions with F^- ions at the center of each edge of the cubic unit cell.

The charge of Mn ions in the compound is +6.

Step-by-step solution

Given Information

Cubi manganese fluoride has an array of manganese ions with fluoride ions at the center of each edge.

Step 2: The coordination number

Each Mn ion in the compound is surrounded by 6 fluoride ions. Hence, the coordination number is 6.

Step 3: The charge on Mn ion

From this question, we can interpret that the compound has a ccp arrangement.

The number of Manganese ions per unit cell =$\frac{1}{8}\times 8=1$

The number of fluoride ions per unit cell =$\frac{1}{4}\times 12=3$

Hence, the empirical formula is MnF₃.