Question

What is the basic structural unit of silicates?

Answer 1

Silicates

• In nature, there are numerous silicate minerals.
• Feldspar, zeolites, mica, and asbestos are examples of silicates.
• Glass and cement are two important man-made silicates.

Basic structural unit of silicates

• ${\mathrm{SiO}}_4^{4–}$.is the basic structural unit of silicates.
• In this structural unit, the Silicon atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms in a tetrahedron fashion.
• Ring, chain, sheet, or three-dimensional structures are formed when silicate units are connected together.