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The basic structural unit of silicates is: SiO44-
A silicate is any member of a family of anions made up of silicon and oxygen, with the general formula SiO4–x4–2xn, where 0≤x≤2 .
It’s a tetrahedral structure. The atom Si is sp3 hybridised with 4 oxygen atoms to produce four covalent bonds.
Note: Silicates are minerals that include silicon and oxygen in tetrahedral SiO 4 4-units that are connected in a variety of ways. Because Oxygen and Silicon are the most plentiful elements in the Earth’s crust, silicate minerals are common.
Weathering occurs when basic silicate minerals react with weak acids. Quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, pyroxene, and olivine are among the most common silicate minerals found on Earth.
