Silikaadist

Silikaadist is a Finnish term that translates to silicate in English. Silicates are a large and varied group of minerals composed of silicon and oxygen atoms. In their most basic form, they contain the silicate anion, SiO4. This fundamental building block can link together in various ways to form more complex structures, leading to the vast diversity of silicate minerals. They are the most abundant mineral group in Earth's crust, making up over 90% of it.

Silicates are classified based on the structure of their silicate anion. Common classifications include nesosilicates (single SiO4 tetrahedra), sorosilicates (double tetrahedra), cyclosilicates (rings of tetrahedra), inosilicates (chains of tetrahedra), phyllosilicates (sheets of tetrahedra), and tectosilicates (three-dimensional frameworks). Examples of common silicate minerals include quartz (a tectosilicate), feldspar (also a tectosilicate), mica (a phyllosilicate), and olivine (a nesosilicate).

The properties of silicate minerals vary widely depending on their specific structure and elemental composition. They can range in hardness, color, cleavage, and density. Silicates are essential components of rocks and soils, and many have important industrial applications. For instance, quartz is used in glassmaking and electronics, while feldspar is a key ingredient in ceramics. The study of silicates is fundamental to geology, mineralogy, and materials science.