Comparing the chemical properties of Carbon dioxide () and Silicon dioxide (), which of the followin — p Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Carbon, being a small period 2 element, easily forms strong $p\pi-p\pi$ double bonds with oxygen, creating discrete linear $CO_2$ gas molecules. Silicon, being larger, cannot form effective $p\pi-p\pi$ bonds, so it instead forms strong single bonds with four oxygens in a giant 3D solid network.