Is SiO2 ionic or covalent?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the type of chemical bonding present in silicon dioxide (SiO2) and whether it is ionic, covalent, or a combination of both.
Answer
covalent
The final answer is covalent
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is covalent
More Information
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) forms a network solid where each silicon atom is covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms in a tetrahedral structure.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming that all compounds involving a metal and non-metal are ionic, but SiO2 is covalently bonded.
Sources
- Silicon Dioxide - britannica.com
- Covalent Bonding in Silicon Dioxide - chemicalsafetyfacts.org