-Silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is the fundamental building block of all silicate minerals.
-Each 0-2 has one of its valence electrons balance by bonding with the Si+4 located at the center of the tetrahedron.
-One reason for the great variety of silicate minerals is the ability of the silicate anion to link together in a variety of configurations.
-Polymerization is achieved by the sharing of oxygen atoms between adjacent tetrahedra.
-Feldspars are by far the most plentiful silicate group, comprising more than 50 percent of Earth's crust.
-Light silicates are generally light in color and have a specific gravity.
-One group of feldspars minerals contains potassium ions in its structure and is therefore referred to as potassium feldspar.
-In quartz, a three-dimensional framework is developed through the complete sharing of oxygen by adjacent silicon atoms.
-Muscovite is a common member of the mica family.
-Clay is a term used to describe a variety of complex minerals that, like the micas, have a sheet structure.
-Each 0-2 has one of its valence electrons balance by bonding with the Si+4 located at the center of the tetrahedron.
-One reason for the great variety of silicate minerals is the ability of the silicate anion to link together in a variety of configurations.
-Polymerization is achieved by the sharing of oxygen atoms between adjacent tetrahedra.
-Feldspars are by far the most plentiful silicate group, comprising more than 50 percent of Earth's crust.
-Light silicates are generally light in color and have a specific gravity.
-One group of feldspars minerals contains potassium ions in its structure and is therefore referred to as potassium feldspar.
-In quartz, a three-dimensional framework is developed through the complete sharing of oxygen by adjacent silicon atoms.
-Muscovite is a common member of the mica family.
-Clay is a term used to describe a variety of complex minerals that, like the micas, have a sheet structure.