Question
Question: What type of bonding is seen in silicon tetrachloride, \(SiC{l_4}\)? A. Covalent B. Ionic C. B...
What type of bonding is seen in silicon tetrachloride, SiCl4?
A. Covalent
B. Ionic
C. Both A and B
D. None
Solution
Chemical bonding is the creation of a chemical compound by forming a chemical bond between two or more atoms, molecules, or ions. The atoms in the resulting molecule are held together by chemical bonds.
Complete answer:
SiCl4 has tetrahedral structure with Si bonded to 4 Cl atoms by covalent bonds.
A covalent bond is defined as the sharing of electrons between atoms. Compounds that contain carbon commonly exhibit this type of chemical bonding. The pair of electrons that are shared by the two atoms now extend around the nuclei of atoms, leading to the creation of a molecule.
The attraction between positive and negative ions in a crystal is known as the ionic bond, and compounds bound together by ionic bonds are known as ionic compounds.
Silicon tetrachloride is a flammable, colourless liquid with a strong odour. With the evolution of heat, it is degraded by water into hydrochloric acid. In the presence of moisture, it is corrosive to metals and tissue. It's used in smoke screens, as well as in the production of various silicon-containing compounds and chemical analysis.
Hence, the correct option is A. Covalent.
Note:
At room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure, covalent compounds may exist as a solid, a liquid, or a gas, whereas ionic compounds exist only as solids. Ionic compounds have crystalline structures that are stable. As a result, as compared to covalent compounds, they have greater melting and boiling points.