silikaatvõrgud

Silikaatvõrgud, also known as silicate networks, refer to the fundamental structural arrangement of silicon and oxygen atoms in silicate minerals. In these structures, each silicon atom is typically bonded to four oxygen atoms, forming a tetrahedral unit (SiO4)4-. These tetrahedra are the building blocks of all silicate minerals, which constitute the vast majority of the Earth's crust and mantle.

The way these tetrahedra link together through shared oxygen atoms dictates the specific silicate structure and thus the mineral's properties. There are several common types of silicate networks. In nesosilicates, the tetrahedra are isolated and linked by interstitial cations. Sorosilicates feature pairs of tetrahedra sharing one oxygen atom. Cyclosilicates form rings of tetrahedra, while inosilicates, both single chains and double chains of linked tetrahedra exist. Phyllosilicates are characterized by sheet-like structures where each tetrahedron shares three oxygen atoms, creating extensive two-dimensional networks. Finally, tectosilicates, such as quartz and feldspars, have three-dimensional frameworks where all four oxygen atoms of each tetrahedron are shared, forming a highly stable and rigid structure. The diversity of silicate networks is responsible for the wide range of physical and chemical properties observed in silicate minerals, impacting everything from rock formation to material science.