Question

Besides the central atom, what are the differences between$\mathit{C}{\mathit{O}}_{\mathbf{2}}$and$\mathit{S}\mathit{i}{\mathit{O}}_{\mathbf{2}}$?

Short answer

The difference between $C{O}_2$and$Si{O}_2$ is Solid vs. gas, tetrahedral vs. linear geometry, single vs. double bonds, and so on.

Step-by-step solution

Define linear and tetrahedron geometry

A polyhedron with four triangular faces, six straight edges, and four vertex corners is known as a tetrahedron.

The linear molecular geometry depicts the geometry surrounding a central atom that is connected to two additional atoms (or ligands) at an angle of 180 degrees.

The difference between CO2 and SiO2

The main distinction between $Si{O}_2$and ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ is that carbon dioxide is a colourless gas, whereas silicon dioxide is a white crystalline substance.

Another significant distinction between $Si{O}_2$and ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$is that the former has a tetrahedral geometry around the silicon atom, whilst the latter has a linear geometry around the carbon atom.

Single bonds exist between $Si$ and $O$ atoms in $Si{O}_2$, whereas double bonds exist between $C$ and $O$ atoms in ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$.

In addition, $Si{O}_2$ has a variety of crystalline forms in addition to amorphous forms, whereas ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$only has one potential structure.

Therefore, the difference between ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$and $Si{O}_2$is Solid vs. gas, tetrahedral vs. linear geometry, single vs. double bonds, and so on.