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CAIE IGCSE Chemistry Giant Covalent Silicon Dioxide

CAIE IGCSE Chemistry Giant Covalent Silicon Dioxide
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 syllabus for exams in 2026, 2027 and 20282026–2028

Practise identifying silicon dioxide as a giant covalent structure and interpreting its atomic network, bonding and contrast with molecular carbon dioxide.

How this is tested

  • identify silicon dioxide as a giant covalent or macromolecular structure, not a molecule
  • state that each silicon atom bonds to four oxygen atoms within a continuous covalent network
  • contrast giant silicon dioxide with simple molecular carbon dioxide using structure and state data

Question 6

[Maximum number: 1]

Silicon(IV) oxide is a covalently bonded compound.

Which statements are correct?

1 Silicon atoms form four single bonds in silicon(IV) oxide.
2 Oxygen atoms form two double bonds in silicon(IV) oxide.
3 Silicon(IV) oxide has a high melting point.
4 Silicon(IV) oxide contains one silicon atom and four oxygen atoms.

A

1 and 2

B

1 and 3

C

2 and 3

D

3 and 4