Question Detail
Question
Unlike carbon, silicon primarily forms chains of Si-O-Si-O rather than catenating extensively in Si-Si-Si chains. What special feature of carbon allows it to catenate more readily?
Correct Answer
Option A is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
Page 24 notes that 'Carbon can catenate. (forms -C-C-C- C- chains) Silicon forms only Si-O-Si-O chains in silica SiO₂.' While the document doesn't explicitly state why carbon catenates more, the smaller size and stronger C-C bonds are key. The other options are either not directly related to catenation (pi bonds affect multiple bonding, not necessarily linear chain formation directly), or are a consequence rather than the cause.
Hint
Consider the bond strength and atomic size for catenation.