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

7735 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why do the boiling points of the hydrogen halides increase as you go down the group from HCl to HI?


Why does an ionic compound (e.g. NaCl) conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water, but not when it is a solid.


How would you synthesise an carboxylic acid just from a primary haloalkane like bromoethane?


Compare the structures of Diamond and Graphite, making references to the bonding, the shape of the structures, and location of the electrons within the structures. Account for the fact that graphite conducts electricity and diamond does not.


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