Why is SiO2 a solid whereas CO2 is a gas at room temeperature?

The main factor influencing a given compound's state is the strength of intermolecular forces - those need to be larger than the thermal energy for a compound to be solid/liquid. For CO2 the only type of interactions possible are the weak Van der Waals forces, whereas in the case of SiO2 the solid is stabilised by the presence of strong covalent linkage all throughout the crystal lattice.

WG
Answered by Wojciech G. Chemistry tutor

7360 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain why alkenes can have stereoisomers


State in terms of its bonding why benzene is more stable than cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene:


Use the concept of electronegativity to justify why the acid strengths of ethanedioic acid and ethanoic acid are different.


What is optical isomerism and how can you distinguish between optical isomers?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning