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In silicon dioxide, which statement best describes the bonding arrangement around silicon?

1. There are double bonds connecting silicon and oxygen atoms.
2. Each silicon atom is attached to two oxygen atoms.
3. Every silicon atom is surrounded by two oxygen atoms, and each oxygen atom is linked to two silicon atoms.
4. Each silicon atom is surrounded by four oxygen atoms, and each oxygen atom is linked to two silicon atoms.

Correct answer: Each silicon atom is surrounded by four oxygen atoms, and each oxygen atom is linked to two silicon atoms.

Solution

In SiO2 each silicon is bonded to four oxygens and each oxygen bridges two silicons (a 3D tetrahedral network). The stored statement (Si bonded to two O) is wrong.

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