Carbon and silicon both belong to the group 14, but inspite of the stoichiometric similarity, the dioxides, (i.e., carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide), differ in their structures. Comment.

Explanation

The difference on the structures of carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide is because of the relative positons of these elements-carbon and silicon in the periodic table. Carbon dioxide exists as discrete moiecules ecause Q=C=O bonds can be easily formed since 2p orbital of carbon and oxygen have same energies and can participitate in the sidewise overlap leading to `pi-`bonds however, it is not the case with `SiO_(2)` in which 3p orbitals of silicon and 2p orbtials of carbon faill to take part in the sidewise overlap. Therefore `SiO_(2)` cannot exist like `CO_(2)`. it exists as a net work solid. For more details, consult section 11.11.