Question

Silica is a network solid of silicon and oxygen atoms. The empirical formula for silica is SiO₂. In silica, to how many oxygen atoms is each silicon bonded?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Hint:

SiO₂ forms a strong covalent network structure with each silicon atom bonded to four oxygen atoms.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

In silica (SiO₂), each silicon atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement.
This is characteristic of network solids where each silicon atom forms covalent bonds with four oxygen atoms.