Question

How could you tell experimentally if TiO₂ is an ionic solid or a network solid?

Short answer

Tio₂ is an ionic solid. This can be checked by determining the conductivity of the compound.

Step-by-step solution

The ionic solid and network solid

The solid formed by combining ions is known as an ionic bond. An ionic solidconductselectricity because of the presence of ions in it.

The solid formed by combining covalent bonds in the continuous network is known as a network solid.Network solids behave as insulators or semiconductors and do not conduct electricity due to the absence of ions.

Explanation

The compound Tio₂ is a covalent compoundbecause the titanium and oxygen are bonded by a double bond that consists of the covalent and the oxidation stateof the compound is +4. It also conducts electricity. Thus, it is an ionic solid.