Final answer:
Silicon tetrachloride is a covalent compound with a tetrahedral geometry that leads to its nonpolar nature; it has a low boiling point and is colorless.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the given statements about silicon tetrachloride, the one that best describes it is that silicon tetrachloride is a covalent compound. Silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) is formed through the covalent bonding between silicon and chlorine atoms. The silicon atom is bonded to four chlorine atoms in a tetrahedral geometry, which is a characteristic shape for molecules where the central atom is bonded to four other atoms.
This geometry contributes to its nonpolar nature, as the dipoles from the Si-Cl bonds cancel out due to the symmetric distribution of the chlorine atoms around the silicon atom. Also, with a boiling point of 57 °C, silicon tetrachloride is a low-boiling, colorless liquid under standard conditions.