In silicon dioxide how many covalent bonds are there between each silicon atom with oxygen atoms?

In silicon dioxide (SiO₂), each silicon atom forms four covalent bonds with oxygen atoms. The structure of SiO₂ is tetrahedral, where each silicon atom is at the center of a tetrahedron formed by four oxygen atoms located at the corners.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

1. Silicon and its Valency: Silicon (Si) has four valence electrons. To achieve stability, it forms four covalent bonds with other atoms.

2. Oxygen Atoms: Each oxygen atom can form two covalent bonds because it has six valence electrons, needing two more to complete its octet.

3. Bond Formation in SiO₂: In the case of SiO₂, each silicon atom indeed shares its four electrons with four oxygen atoms. Each silicon atom bonds to two of these oxygens through single bonds while the Si-O bonds are formally considered to be covalent.

Thus, in summary, each silicon atom in silicon dioxide is covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms.