Question

What type of solid is Silicon carbide?

Answer 1

1. Silicon carbide (SiC) is a chemical compound that is formed by Silicon and Carbon atoms.
2. As they belong to the same group still they have differences in their electronegativities.
3. Down the group, the electronegativity decreases and so Carbon is higher electronegativity than Silicon.
4. Therefore Silicon is slightly positive and Carbon is slightly negative and hence Carbon can accept the electrons from Silicon.
5. In Silicon carbide, the silicon atoms are joined to the Carbon atoms by a covalent bond in a tetrahedral manner.
6. Therefore, Silicon carbide is a covalent solid.