p-Block Elements-I 2 Question 2
2. The basic structural unit of feldspar, zeolites, mica and asbestos is
(2019 Main, 12 April I)
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Solution:
- The basic structural unit of feldspar, zeolites, mica and asbestos is $\left(\mathrm{SiO}_{4}\right)^{4-}$. These all are silicates. All silicates involve two types of $\mathrm{Si}-\mathrm{O}$ bonds.
(i) Terminal $\mathrm{Si}-\mathrm{O}$ bonds in which oxygen is bonded to a silicon and not other atom.
(ii) Bridging $\mathrm{Si}-\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{Si}$ bonds in which oxygen is bonded to two silicon atoms.
In $\mathrm{SiO}_{4}^{4-}$ ion, each $\mathrm{Si}$ atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms tetrahedrally.
