Melting point of quartz, a crystalline allotropic form of `SiO_(2)` is `160^(@)`C while sblimation point of sblimation point of `CO_(2)` is `-79^(@)C`. Predict the nature of bonding in the two crystalline solids.

Explanation

Large difference in the melting point suggests that the two solids have different structures. `CO_(2)` is a molecular solid in which the intermolecular forces are weak vander Waals' forces. On the other hand, quartz is a covalent or network solid in which strong forces of attraction are present.