Explain why Silicon Dioxide has a higher melting point than Sulfur Trioxide.

Silicon Dioxide has a macromolecular/giant covalent structure which means it has covalent bonds between all atoms in its structure. Sulfur Trioxide has a simple molecular structure meaning it has Van der Waals forces between molecules.
Covalent bonds are much stronger than Van der Waals forces and so require much more energy to overcome, and this leads to the higher melting point observed in silicon dioxide as melting requires the overcoming of forces between atoms/molecules.

HT
Answered by Holly T. Chemistry tutor

21499 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Write a balanced equation for the oxidation of Iron from the 2+ oxidation state to the 3+ oxidation state using the manganate ion.


Why does ionisation energy of elements generally decrease as you move down a group in the periodic table?


Give the molecular formula of benzene. Give the Kekule structure of benzene and then explain why this structure is not correct. Give the accepted structure for benzene (5 marks).


Explain why the first ionisation energy of phosphorous is different to that of sulfur


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