Question

Quartz is made up of silicon and oxygen atoms joincd in a network arrangement that is similar to (1) Diamond (2) Graphitc (3) Dryice (4) \(\mathrm{NaCl}\)

Short answer

Diamond.

Step-by-step solution

- Analyze the question

The exercise requires identifying the substance whose atomic arrangement is similar to quartz, which is made up of silicon and oxygen atoms in a network structure.

- Examine the options

Consider the four given options: Diamond, Graphite, Dry ice, and (NaCl). We need to determine which of these substances has a network arrangement similar to that of quartz.

- Evaluate each option

1. **Diamond**: Composed of carbon atoms arranged in a tetrahedral network structure, similar to the silicon-oxygen network in quartz, though composed of different elements. 2. **Graphite**: Consists of layers of carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal structures, making it different from the three-dimensional network structure of quartz.3. **Dry ice**: Made up of solid carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules in a simple molecular lattice, which differs from quartz's network structure.4. **NaCl (sodium chloride)**: Contains a cubic crystal lattice formed by alternating sodium and chloride ions, distinct from the network structure of quartz.

- Choose the correct substance

Among the options, Diamond has a network arrangement similar to quartz due to its three-dimensional tetrahedral lattice structure.

Key concepts

silicon-oxygen network

The primary building blocks of quartz are silicon and oxygen atoms. These atoms form a continuous three-dimensional network. Each silicon atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms, arranged in a tetrahedral shape. Each oxygen atom, in turn, is bonded to two silicon atoms. This relationship creates a repetitive and extensive network

• forming a strong and stable structure.
• ensuring the hardness and durability of quartz.

Understanding this silicon-oxygen framework helps us appreciate the remarkable characteristics of quartz in various applications.

diamond structure similarity

The structure of quartz is comparable to the structure of diamond, but with different elements. In diamonds, carbon atoms are linked together forming a three-dimensional network of tetrahedrons. Similarly, in quartz, silicon and oxygen form a three-dimensional network. Both structures are highly stable and exhibit a repeating tetrahedral pattern:

• Diamond's carbon atoms form a tetrahedral lattice.
• Quartz's silicon-oxygen atoms mimic this pattern to create a robust network.

This similarity explains why diamond was the correct answer in the original exercise, demonstrating how certain atomic arrangements create materials with unique and similar properties.

tetrahedral lattice

The term tetrahedral lattice refers to the specific geometric arrangement of atoms forming a pyramid shape. In both quartz and diamond, each central atom is bonded to four other atoms in a tetrahedral shape. This creates a consistent and repetitive structure that:

• maximizes strength and rigidity.
• provides stability and resistance to compression.

Understanding the tetrahedral lattice helps grasp why certain materials like quartz and diamond are so resilient and enduring. Their structural design plays a critical role in their physical properties and vast array of applications in the real world.