Silicates
Silicates
A large
number of silicates minerals exist in nature. Some of the examples are
feldspar, zeolites, mica and asbestos. The basis structural unit of silicates
is SiO44- in which silicon atom is bonded to four oxygen
atoms in tetrahedron fashion, in silicates either the discrete unit is present
or a number of such units are joined together via corners by sharing 1,2,3 or 4
oxygen atoms per silicate units. When silicate units are linked together, they
form chain, ring, sheet or three-dimensional structures. Negative charge on
silicate structure is neutralized by positively charged metal ions. If all the
four corners are shared with other tetrahedral units, three-dimensional network
is formed.
Two important man-made silicates are glass and
cement.
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