Giant molecular structure of SiO2?

Question

In one SiO2, one Si is joined to 4 oxygen atoms. Why is there 4 oxygen and not 2 as the formula is SiO2?

Answer 1

Sometimes the term "Molecular structure" is misleading. In the case of Silicon dioxide, the structure you describe is crystal lattice (commonly referred to as a network) and is found in the β Tridymite form of the compound.

SiO2 is the empirical formula, not the molecular formula of this substance.

There are several possible structures for the different forms of Silicon dioxide. See the second reference.

Answer 2

It is a network structure. You are right, it is not a small molecule as the previous answer said. Each silicon is connected to 4 oxygens, yes, but then these oxygens are attached to more silicon atoms in a network. Therefore, it works out that there are 2 oxygens for every silicon atom. See the model below:

Answer 3

Carbon is a lighter ingredient than silicon. Lighter aspects tend to have a decrease boiling ingredient, and a gasoline can not sort a sizeable shape. It has 2 double bonds particularly of linking to neighbouring molecules. Carbon has a sizeable shape in diamond sort, yet is extra straight forward as fullerines or graphite. Carbon sulphide does exist as compounds (molecules are compounds). under silicon, group IV aspects are metals.

Answer 4

if it says 2, then its 2, not 4

also, that is a tiny molecule