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Question
Explain the following:
CO2 is a gas whereas SiO2 is a solid.
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Solution
Because of its small size and good π-overlap with other small atoms, carbon forms strong double bonds with two oxygen atoms to give discrete CO2 molecules.
Silicon atom, on account of large size, does not have good π-overlap with other atoms. It uses its four valence electrons to form four single bonds directed towards the four apices of a tetrahedron (sp3-hybridisation). Each oxygen is linked with two silicon atoms, i.e., a giant three-dimensional structure comes into existence which is very stable. Thus, CO2 is a gas and SiO2 is a solid.
\[\ce{O = C = O}\]
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