Name the type of the structure of silicate in which one oxygen atom of [SiO4]4- is shared.
- Linear chain silicate
- Sheet silicate
- Pyrosilicate
- Three dimensional
Answer
(3) Pyrosilicate
Solution
Number of O atoms shared per SiO4 tetrahedron decides the type of silicate:
One O shared two tetrahedra joined: pyrosilicate, Si2O76-
Two O shared chain or cyclic silicates; three O shared sheet silicates; all four O shared three-dimensional silicates.
Answer: (3)