GENERAL GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Silicates contain silicon atoms and oxygen atoms. One silicon atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms. These atoms form a pyramid (Figure). The silicate pyramid is the building block of silicate minerals.

Detailed explanation-2: -All silicate minerals share a common building block: the silica tetrahedron. This four-sided molecule consists of four oxygen (O) atoms and one silicon (Si) atom. The oxygen atoms are anions with a minus-2 charge (O2-) that are covalently bonded to a single silicon cation with a plus-4 charge (Si4+).

Detailed explanation-3: -Despite the fact that silicate minerals may accommodate any chemical element in their structures, the most common elements found are Al, Mg, Fe, Ca, Na, and K. Al is a common substitute for Si in the silica tetrahedron.

Detailed explanation-4: -About 90% of the earth’s crust is composed of silicate minerals. Silicates are compounds composed of silicon and oxygen; these compounds have negative charges on them. That means there are positive counterions found together with these anions.

Detailed explanation-5: -Silicate minerals contain silicon (Si) and oxygen (O), the two most abundant elements in the earth’s crust. Over 90% of the common rock-forming minerals are silicates. Common silicate minerals include: olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, biotite mica, muscovite mica, plagioclase feldspar, orthoclase feldspar, and quartz.