Question

Dry ice is an example of

• A. covalent solid
• B. ionic solid
• C. molecular solid
• D. metallic solid

Hint:

Molecular solids, like dry ice (CO\(_2\)), consist of molecules held together by intermolecular forces rather than ionic or covalent bonds.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding dry ice.
Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide (CO\(_2\)). It exists as a molecular solid, where individual CO\(_2\) molecules are held together by intermolecular forces, not ionic or covalent bonds.

Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) covalent solid: This is incorrect. Dry ice is not a covalent solid as the individual molecules are not covalently bonded to each other.
(B) ionic solid: This is incorrect. Dry ice is not composed of ions held together by electrostatic forces.
(C) molecular solid: Correct — Dry ice is a molecular solid, where CO\(_2\) molecules are held together by Van der Waals forces.
(D) metallic solid: This is incorrect. Dry ice does not exhibit metallic bonding.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) molecular solid.