Chemistry – Atoms, elements and compounds - Giant covalent structures | e-Consult

Diagram: (A simple diagram would be inserted here. Since I can't draw, I'll describe it. Imagine a large network of silicon and oxygen atoms. Each silicon atom is at the centre of a tetrahedron, with four oxygen atoms surrounding it. Each oxygen atom is bonded to the silicon atom and also to two other oxygen atoms. This continues throughout the structure, forming a continuous network. Arrows should clearly indicate the covalent bonds between the atoms. Label the silicon atoms as 'Si' and the oxygen atoms as 'O'. Label the bonds as 'covalent bonds'.

The structure is a continuous network, extending throughout the entire crystal. This is a key feature of giant covalent structures.