Which of the following oxides has a giant covalent structure?
Answer Details
The oxide with a giant covalent structure is silicon dioxide (SiO\(_2\)).
A giant covalent structure means that each atom in the structure is bonded to neighboring atoms by strong covalent bonds. In the case of SiO\(_2\), each silicon atom is covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms, and each oxygen atom is covalently bonded to two silicon atoms. This creates a 3D network of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms that extends in all directions, forming a giant covalent structure.
In contrast, the other oxides listed (Al\(_2\)O\(_3\), Na\(_2\)O, and P\(_4\)O\(_{10}\)) do not have a giant covalent structure. Al\(_2\)O\(_3\) and Na\(_2\)O have ionic structures, where the metal and non-metal atoms are bonded by strong ionic bonds. P\(_4\)O\(_{10}\) has a molecular structure, where the phosphorus and oxygen atoms are bonded by covalent bonds to form discrete P\(_4\)O\(_{10}\) molecules.
Overall, the different types of bonding in these oxides result in their varying structures and properties.