Carbon and siliconboth belongto thegroup 14, but in spiteof thestoichiometricsimilarit, thedioxides, (i.e, carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide), differ in their structure . Comment.

Carbon and siliconboth belongto thegroup 14, but in spiteof thestoichi

1.	Carbon and siliconboth belongto thegroup 14, but in spiteof thestoichiometricsimilarit, thedioxides, (i.e, carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide), differ in their structure . Comment.
Answer» Solution :Carbonbecauseof its smallsize and higherelectronegatively then silicon forms `ppi-ppi`double BONDS withO-atomsto form `CO_(2)`MOLECULE. These moleculesof `CO_(2)` are heldtogetherby weak van der Waals force ofattraction which can be easily overcome by collisions of the moleculs at roomtemperature. CONSEQUENTLY, `CO_(2)`is a gas. Silicon, on the other hand,because of its bigger size andelectronegativitythan carbonhas little tendencyto form `ppi-ppi`double bondswith O-atoms.Instead, each siliconatom formsfour single covalent bonds with O-atoms which are tetrahedrally arrangedaround itleadingto the formation of a three-dimensionalnetwork structure. T breakthese covalentbonds, a LARGE amount of energyis needed and hence `SiO_(2)`is a highmelting solid.