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

7235 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How can a student test for the prescence of a halide ion?


Explain the trend in ionisation energies for the group one metals?


Explain why the first ionisation energy of Al is less than that of Mg?


State and explain how the attraction between nuclei and outermost electrons varies across group 3 (2 marks)


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