Question

The basic structure unit of silicates is:

Options

• \[\ce{SiO^{-}}\]

• \[\ce{SiO^{4-}4}\]

• \[\ce{SiO^{2-}3}\]

• \[\ce{SiO^{2-}4}\]

Answer 1

\[\ce{SiO^{4-}4}\]

Explanation:

The tetrahedral \[\ce{SiO^{4-}4}\] is the basic building block of all silicates. . It is depicted as

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{..}\ce{O^-}\\
\phantom{}|\\
\phantom{}\ce{Si}\\
\phantom{}/\phantom{..}|\phantom{..}\backslash\\
\phantom{..}\ce{O^-}\phantom{.}\ce{O^-}\phantom{.}\ce{O^-}
\end{array}\]

O = O
ⓞ = Si

Structure of \[\ce{SiO^{4-}4}\] ions