VII. Finding Similarities and Differences: SiO2 and SO2

Answer 1

SiO2 has a linear shape as it has a hybridization of sp and has no lone pairs. SO2 on the other hand has a bent structure as it has a hybridization of sp2 and has one lone pair. Another difference is that SO2 has resonance (same structure can be drawn in multiple ways). SO2 is a molecular solid whereas SiO2 is a covalent network solid.

Both molecules contain three nonmetal elements.