Question

Silicon is tetravalent. But why can’t it form long chain compounds like carbon?

• A. Silicon is a metalloid and cannot bond with other atoms.
• B. Silicon is larger in size than carbon, and cannot hold the shared electron pair(s) strongly.
• C. Silicon is smaller in size than carbon, and cannot hold the shared electron pair(s) strongly.
• D. Silicon compounds are unreactive.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Silicon is larger in size than carbon, and cannot hold the shared electron pair(s) strongly.

The compounds formed by carbon atoms with others are highly stable as the bonds formed by carbon atoms are strong. This is due to the small size of the carbon atom. This allows the nucleus of carbon to hold the shared pair of electrons more firmly.

Silicon atom is large and hence can’t form long chain compounds like a carbon atom.