Question:

Schottky defect in solids is due to

Updated On: Apr 30, 2026
  • a pair of cation and anion vacancies
  • occupation of interstitial site by a pair of cation and anion
  • occupation of interstitial site by a cation
  • occupation of interstitial site by an anion
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To understand the Schottky defect in solids, let us first define what a Schottky defect is:

A Schottky defect occurs in ionic crystals when equal numbers of cations and anions are missing from the crystal lattice. This means that there is a pair of vacancies created—one for a cation and one for an anion. These vacancies occur because the ions have completely left the crystal lattice, creating vacancies where they were previously located. This defect helps maintain electrical neutrality because the total number of positive and negative charges remains balanced even though ions are missing.

Let's analyze the given options to identify the correct answer:

  1. A pair of cation and anion vacancies: This option correctly describes a Schottky defect. It involves the absence of an equal number of cations and anions from the lattice.
  2. Occupation of interstitial site by a pair of cation and anion: This describes a different type of defect known as a Frenkel defect, not a Schottky defect.
  3. Occupation of interstitial site by a cation: This again is part of a Frenkel defect, where an ion is displaced to an interstitial site but does not correctly describe a Schottky defect.
  4. Occupation of interstitial site by an anion: Similar to the previous option, this describes a situation part of a Frenkel defect.

The correct answer is the first option: a pair of cation and anion vacancies, as it precisely matches the definition of a Schottky defect.

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Concepts Used:

Imperfections in Solids

Any irregularity in the pattern of crystal arrangement in a solid lattice is called imperfection in solids. The occurrence of defects takes place when crystallization (the process of formation of crystals) occurs at a very fast or at an intermediate rate.

Basically, defects fall out in two forms:

  • Point Defect

When the irregularities exist from the ideal arrangement around a point or an atom in solids, the defect is known as a point defect. Types of point defects are:

  • Stoichiometric defects
  • Non-stoichiometric defects
  • Impurity defects
  • Line Defect

When the deviation from the ideal arrangement exists in the entire row of lattice points, the defect is called line defect.