1.19 Ferric oxide crystallises in a hexagonal close-packed array of oxide ions with two out of every three octahedral holes occupied by ferric ions. Derive the formula of the ferric oxide. 


Let the number of oxides (O2−) ions be x.
So, the number of octahedral voids = x
It is given that two out of every three octahedral holes are occupied by ferric ions.
So, number of ferric (Fe3+) ions=23x
Therefore, the ratio of the number of Fe3+ ions to the number of O2− ions,
Fe3+:O2-=23x:x
=23:1
=2:3
Hence, the formula of the ferric oxide is Fe2O3.