Zinc blende is the cubic form of zinc sulfide. Many compounds crystallize with this structure type.

The radius of a Zn²⁺ ion is 74 pm; the radius of a S^2- ion is 184 pm; the Zn²⁺/S^2- radius ratio is 0.40. We will not draw the ions to scale in this section. Our radius ratio will be about 1:1. If the ions were drawn to scale, it would be difficult to see into the unit cell.

Click the links on the right to illustrate these concepts.