Question

A unit cell that contains lattice points only at the corners is known as _________

(a) Primitive unit cell

(b) Secondary unit cell

(c) Layered unit cell

(d) Derived unit cell

The question was posed to me in quiz.

My doubt stems from Types of Solids, Crystal Structures and Lattices in chapter Solid Solutions & Crystallography of Engineering Material & Metallurgy

Answer 1

Right option is (a) Primitive unit cell

To explain I would say: If a unit cell chosen contains lattice points only at its corners, it is called a primitive or simple unit cell. It contains only one lattice point since each point at the eight corners is shared equally with adjacent unit cells.