Here's why:
* Macromolecular structure: This means the compound is formed by a continuous network of repeating units, held together by strong covalent bonds.
* Silicon dioxide: Each silicon atom is covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms, and each oxygen atom is bonded to two silicon atoms. This creates a giant, three-dimensional network structure extending throughout the entire crystal.
Let me know if you'd like more details on silicon dioxide's structure!