The structure of crystalline silica is similar to that of

Options

A. Diamond
B. Graphite
C. Silicates
D. Silicic acid

Answer

To determine which structure is similar to that of crystalline silica (SiO2), we can analyze the structures of the given options: diamond, graphite, silicates, and silicic acid.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Structure of Crystalline Silica (SiO2)**:
- Crystalline silica consists of silicon (Si) atoms bonded to oxygen (O) atoms. Each silicon atom is tetrahedrally coordinated to four oxygen atoms.
- The hybridization of silicon in SiO2 is sp3, leading to a three-dimensional (3D) network structure where each oxygen atom is shared between two silicon atoms.

2. **Analyze the Structure of Diamond**:
- Diamond is composed of carbon (C) atoms, where each carbon atom is also tetrahedrally coordinated to four other carbon atoms.
- The hybridization of carbon in diamond is also sp3, resulting in a strong 3D network structure similar to that of SiO2.

3. **Analyze the Structure of Graphite**:
- In graphite, each carbon atom is bonded to three other carbon atoms in a planar arrangement, forming layers of hexagonal rings.
- The hybridization of carbon in graphite is sp2, which leads to a different structure compared to the tetrahedral arrangement in SiO2.

4. **Analyze the Structure of Silicates**:
- Silicates are compounds containing silicon and oxygen, typically represented by the basic unit SiO4.
- While silicates can form 3D structures, they vary significantly in their arrangement and bonding compared to SiO2.

5. **Analyze the Structure of Silicic Acid (Si(OH)4)**:
- Silicic acid consists of silicon bonded to hydroxyl groups (OH).
- Its structure does not exhibit the same 3D network as SiO2, as it is more molecular in nature.

6. **Conclusion**:
- The structure of crystalline silica (SiO2) is most similar to that of diamond due to both having a tetrahedral arrangement and sp3 hybridization, resulting in a robust 3D network.

### Final Answer:
The structure of crystalline silica is similar to that of **diamond**.

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