The Silicate Minerals | Earth Science

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X-ray diffraction is discussed in relation to understanding the atomic structure of minerals."> <meta name="keywords" content="science, education, STEM, math, biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, online learning"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, shrink-to-fit=no"> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="D8E20F39AD48052260032E56DE409970"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://visionlearning.com/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140" }, "name": "The Silicate Minerals", "headline": "The Silicate Minerals: The silica tetrahedron and Earth's most common minerals", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anne E. Egger, Ph.D." }, "datePublished": "2006-04-11 10:52:43", "dateModified": "2017-02-12T08:30:00+05:00", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/img/library/moduleImages/featured_image_140-23061209065801.jpg", "width": 696, "height": 464 }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Visionlearning, Inc.", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "http://visionlearning.com/images/logo.png", "width": 278, "height": 60 } }, "description": "Understanding the structure of silicate minerals makes it possible to identify 95% of the rocks on Earth. This module covers the structure of silicates, the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. The module explains the significance of the silica tetrahedron and describes the variety of shapes it takes. X-ray diffraction is discussed in relation to understanding the atomic structure of minerals.", "keywords": "science, education, STEM, math, biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, online learning", "inLanguage": { "@type": "Language", "name": "English", "alternateName": "en" }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Visionlearning, Inc." }, "copyrightYear": "2006"} </script> <meta property="og:url" content="https://visionlearning.com/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140"> <meta property="og:title" content="The Silicate Minerals | Earth Science | Visionlearning" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Visionlearning"> <meta property="og:description" content="Understanding the structure of silicate minerals makes it possible to identify 95% of the rocks on Earth. This module covers the structure of silicates, the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. The module explains the significance of the silica tetrahedron and describes the variety of shapes it takes. 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href="/en/library/earth-science/6/factors-that-control-earths-temperature/234">Factors that Control Earth's Temperature</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/circulation-in-the-atmosphere/255">Circulation in the Atmosphere</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-hazards" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-hazards" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Hazards </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-hazards" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-hazards" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/natural-hazards-and-risk/288">Natural Hazards and Risk</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-earth-history" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-earth-history" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Earth History </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" 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aria-controls="acc-panel-ecology" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Ecology </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-ecology" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-ecology" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-i/276">Biodiversity I</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281">Biodiversity II</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/ecosystem-services/279">Ecosystem Services</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/population-biology/287">Population Biology</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-earth-cycles" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-earth-cycles" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Earth Cycles </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-earth-cycles" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-earth-cycles" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-nitrogen-cycle/98">The Nitrogen Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-carbon-cycle/95">The Carbon Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-phosphorus-cycle/197">The Phosphorus Cycle</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientific-research" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientific-research" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientific Research </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientific-research" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientific-research" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/collaborative-research-in-the-arctic-towards-understanding-climate-change/183">Collaborative Research in the Arctic Towards Understanding Climate Change</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/atmospheric-chemistry-research-that-changed-global-policy/211">Atmospheric Chemistry Research that Changed Global Policy</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-general-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-general-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> General Science </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-general-science" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-general-science" role="region"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-methods" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-methods" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Methods </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-methods" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-methods" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/general-science/3/the-scientific-method/45">The Scientific Method</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-measurement" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-measurement" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Measurement </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-measurement" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-measurement" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/general-science/3/the-metric-system/47">The Metric System</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-physical-properties" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-physical-properties" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Physical Properties </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-physical-properties" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-physical-properties" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/general-science/3/temperature/48">Temperature</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/general-science/3/density-and-buoyancy/37">Density and Buoyancy</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-math-in-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-math-in-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Math in Science </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-math-in-science" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-math-in-science" role="region"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-equations" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-equations" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Equations </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-equations" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-equations" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/unit-conversion/144">Unit Conversion</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/linear-equations/194">Linear Equations</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/exponential-equations-i/206">Exponential Equations I</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/exponential-equations-ii/210">Exponential Equations II</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/scientific-notation/250">Scientific Notation</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/measurement/257">Measurement</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-statistics" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-statistics" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Statistics </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-statistics" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-statistics" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/introduction-to-descriptive-statistics/218">Introduction to Descriptive Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/introduction-to-inferential-statistics/224">Introduction to Inferential Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/statistical-techniques/239">Statistical Techniques</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-trigonometric-functions" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-trigonometric-functions" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Trigonometric Functions </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-trigonometric-functions" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-trigonometric-functions" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/wave-mathematics/131">Wave Mathematics</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-physics" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-physics" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Physics </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-physics" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-physics" role="region"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-light-and-optics" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-light-and-optics" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Light and Optics </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-light-and-optics" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-light-and-optics" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/the-nature-of-light/132">The Nature of Light</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/electromagnetism-and-light/138">Electromagnetism and Light</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-mechanics" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-mechanics" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Mechanics </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-mechanics" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-mechanics" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/defining-energy/199">Defining Energy</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/waves-and-wave-motion/102">Waves and Wave Motion</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/gravity/118">Gravity</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/thermodynamics-i/200">Thermodynamics I</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-process-of-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-process-of-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Process of Science </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-process-of-science" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-process-of-science" role="region"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-introduction" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-introduction" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Introduction </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-introduction" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-introduction" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/the-process-of-science/176">The Process of Science</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-the-culture-of-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-the-culture-of-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> The Culture of Science </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-the-culture-of-science" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-the-culture-of-science" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/the-nature-of-scientific-knowledge/185">The Nature of Scientific Knowledge</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/scientists-and-the-scientific-community/172">Scientists and the Scientific Community</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/scientific-ethics/161">Scientific Ethics</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/scientific-institutions-and-societies/162">Scientific Institutions and Societies</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-ideas-in-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-ideas-in-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Ideas in Science </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-ideas-in-science" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-ideas-in-science" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/theories-hypotheses-and-laws/177">Theories, Hypotheses, and Laws</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/scientific-controversy/181">Scientific Controversy</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/creativity-in-science/182">Creativity in Science</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-research-methods" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-research-methods" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Research Methods </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-research-methods" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-research-methods" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/the-practice-of-science/148">The Practice of Science</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/experimentation-in-scientific-research/150">Experimentation in Scientific Research</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/description-in-scientific-research/151">Description in Scientific Research</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/comparison-in-scientific-research/152">Comparison in Scientific Research</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/modeling-in-scientific-research/153">Modeling in Scientific Research</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-data" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-data" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Data </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-data" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-data" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/data-analysis-and-interpretation/154">Data Analysis and Interpretation</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/uncertainty-error-and-confidence/157">Uncertainty, Error, and Confidence</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/statistics-in-science/155">Statistics in Science</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/using-graphs-and-visual-data-in-science/156">Using Graphs and Visual Data in Science</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientific-communication" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientific-communication" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientific Communication </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientific-communication" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientific-communication" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/understanding-scientific-journals-and-articles/158">Understanding Scientific Journals and Articles</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/utilizing-the-scientific-literature/173">Utilizing the Scientific Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/peer-review-in-scientific-publishing/159">Peer Review in Scientific Publishing</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/the-how-and-why-of-scientific-meetings/186">The How and Why of Scientific Meetings</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientists-and-research" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientists-and-research" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientists and Research </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientists-and-research" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientists-and-research" role="region"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientific-research" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientific-research" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientific Research </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientific-research" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientific-research" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/collaborative-research-in-the-arctic-towards-understanding-climate-change/183">Collaborative Research in the Arctic Towards Understanding Climate Change</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/from-stable-chromosomes-to-jumping-genes/184">From Stable Chromosomes to Jumping Genes</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/an-elegant-experiment-to-test-the-process-of-dna-replication/187">An Elegant Experiment to Test the Process of DNA Replication</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/the-founding-of-neuroscience/233">The Founding of Neuroscience</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/tracking-endangered-jaguars-across-the-border/189">Tracking Endangered Jaguars across the Border</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/atmospheric-chemistry-research-that-changed-global-policy/211">Atmospheric Chemistry Research that Changed Global Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/revolutionizing-medicine-with-monoclonal-antibodies/220">Revolutionizing Medicine with Monoclonal Antibodies</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/uncovering-the-mysteries-of-chronic-mountain-sickness/238">Uncovering the Mysteries of Chronic Mountain Sickness</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-profiles-in-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-profiles-in-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Profiles in Science </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-profiles-in-science" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-profiles-in-science" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/luis-e.-miramontes/232">Luis E. Miramontes</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/bernardo-houssay/237">Bernardo Houssay</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/craig-lee/256">Craig Lee</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/david-ho/241">David Ho</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/louis-tompkins-wright/244">Louis Tompkins Wright</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/carlos-j.-finlay/217">Carlos J. Finlay</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/cecilia-payne/290">Cecilia Payne</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/jazmin-scarlett/291">Jazmin Scarlett</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/ramari-stewart/292">Ramari Stewart</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/johnson-cerda/300">Johnson Cerda</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/ellen-ochoa/201">Ellen Ochoa</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/ruth-benerito/205">Ruth Benerito</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/franklin-chang-díaz/219">Franklin Chang Díaz</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/percy-lavon-julian/221">Percy Lavon Julian</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/luis-walter-alvarez/229">Luis Walter Alvarez</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/france-anne-dominic-córdova/230">France Anne-Dominic Córdova</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li>  <button class="button" data-toggle="dropdown">Earth Science </button> <div class="nav__dropdown box-shadow-1 padding-1"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary font-size-sm"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-sub-button-plate-tectonics" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-sub-panel-plate-tectonics" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Plate Tectonics </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-sub-panel-plate-tectonics" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-sub-button-plate-tectonics" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/origins-of-plate-tectonic-theory/65">Origins of Plate Tectonic Theory</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/plate-boundaries/66">Plate Boundaries</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/earth-structure/69">Earth Structure</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-sub-button-earth-cycles" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-sub-panel-earth-cycles" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Earth Cycles </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-sub-panel-earth-cycles" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-sub-button-earth-cycles" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-rock-cycle/128">The Rock Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-hydrologic-cycle/99">The Hydrologic Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-carbon-cycle/95">The Carbon Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-nitrogen-cycle/98">The Nitrogen Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-phosphorus-cycle/197">The Phosphorus Cycle</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-sub-button-rocks-and-minerals" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-sub-panel-rocks-and-minerals" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Rocks and Minerals </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-sub-panel-rocks-and-minerals" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-sub-button-rocks-and-minerals" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/defining-minerals/119">Defining Minerals</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/identifying-minerals/130">Identifying Minerals</a></li> <li class="current">The Silicate Minerals</li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-sub-button-atmosphere-and-oceans" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-sub-panel-atmosphere-and-oceans" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Atmosphere and Oceans </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-sub-panel-atmosphere-and-oceans" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-sub-button-atmosphere-and-oceans" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/ocean-currents/282">Ocean Currents</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/water-in-the-atmosphere/289">Water in the Atmosphere</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/weather-fronts-and-forecasts/303">Weather, Fronts, and Forecasts</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/history-of-earths-atmosphere-i/202">History of Earth's Atmosphere I</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/history-of-earths-atmosphere-ii/203">History of Earth's Atmosphere II</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/earths-atmosphere/107">Earth's Atmosphere</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/factors-that-control-earths-temperature/234">Factors that Control Earth's Temperature</a></li> <li><a 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<ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/extinction/295">Extinction</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/paleontology-and-the-fossil-record/301">Paleontology and the Fossil Record</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/mass-extinctions/294">Mass Extinctions</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </nav>  <div id="theTop"></div> <main id="skip-header-content"> <div class="margin-bottom-5"> <div class="container narrow wide--lg margin-y-4"> <article class="module"> <header class="module__header"> <span class="subcategory"> <strong><em>Rocks and Minerals</em></strong> </span> <h1>The Silicate Minerals: <sub><em>The silica tetrahedron and Earth's most common minerals</em></sub></h1> <p class="byline">by Anne E. Egger, Ph.D.</p> </header> <nav class="module__tabs"> <ul class="tabs-nav tabs-nav--pill tabs-nav--horizontal--md library"> <li> <a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140/reading" class="is-active" aria-current="page" >Reading</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140/quiz" >Quiz</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140/resources" >Teach with this</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "AudioObject", "contentUrl": "https://www.visionlearning.com/img/library/moduleAudio/module_140.mp3", "description": "Recording of The Silicate Minerals : Understanding the structure of silicate minerals makes it possible to identify 95% of the rocks on Earth. This module covers the structure of silicates, the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. The module explains the significance of the silica tetrahedron and describes the variety of shapes it takes. X-ray diffraction is discussed in relation to understanding the atomic structure of minerals.", "encodingFormat": "mp3", "name": "module_140.mp3" } </script> <div class="module__audio"> <div class="audio-player border border-radius"> <audio id="audio"> <source src="https://www.visionlearning.com/img/library/moduleAudio/module_140.mp3" type="audio/mpeg"> Your browser does not support the audio element. </audio> <div class="audio-player__title"> <p>Listen to this reading</p> <span class="audio-player__timestamp" id="timestamp"> 00:00 </span> </div> <div class="audio-player__controls" id="controls"> <button class="button button--icon-only" id="play-pause-button"> <span class="icon icon-play" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> <div class="audio-player__progress" id="progress-bar" tabindex="0" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100" aria-valuenow="0" aria-label="Use arrow keys to forward or rewind the audio" role="slider"> <div class="audio-player__progress__fill"> <span class="audio-player__thumb"></span> </div> </div> <div class="audio-player__volume-container"> <button id="mute-button"> <span class="icon icon-volume"></span> </button> <div class="audio-player__volume" tabindex="0" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100" aria-valuenow="100" aria-label="Use arrow keys to adjust volume" role="slider"> <div class="audio-player__volume__fill"> <span class="audio-player__thumb"></span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr class="module__divider" />  <div class="module__tools"> <aside class="module__tools__container border-radius box-shadow-1"> <div class="tabs tabs--toggle-mobile--lg" role="tablist"> <ul class="tab__buttons"> <li> <button class="button button--icon-over-text" aria-label="In this module" aria-controls="tab-panel-module__tools" aria-selected="true" role="tab"> <span class="button__icon"> <span class="icon icon-list" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span> <span class="button__text">Contents</span> </button> </li> <li> <button class="button button--icon-over-text" aria-controls="tab-panel-toggle-terms" aria-selected="false" role="tab"> <span class="button__icon"> <span class="icon icon-glossary-highlight"></span> </span> <span class="button__text">Glossary Terms</span> </button> </li> <li> <button class="button button--icon-over-text" aria-controls="tab-panel-toggle-ngss" aria-selected="false" role="tab"> <span class="button__icon"> <span class="icon icon-ngss" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span> <span class="button__text">NGSS</span> </button> </li> </ul> <div class="tabs__panel shown" id="tab-panel-module__tools" aria-labelledby="tab-button-module__tools" role="tabpanel"> <div class="table-of-contents"> <p class="table-of-contents__title"> Table of Contents </p> <ul class="table-of-contents__nav"> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140#toc_1">Seeing the structure of the silicates</a> </li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140#toc_2">Isolated tetrahedra: Olivine</a> </li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140#toc_3">Chains of tetrahedra: Pyroxenes and amphiboles</a> </li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140#toc_4">Sheets: Micas and clays</a> </li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140#toc_5">Framework: Quartz and feldspar</a> </li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/the-silicate-minerals/140#toc_6">Silicates as a natural resource</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="tabs__panel" id="tab-panel-toggle-terms" aria-labelledby="tab-button-toggle-terms" role="tabpanel"> <div class="reading-toggle"> <div class="reading-toggle__switch"> <div class="form-entry__option__switch"> <label> <input type="checkbox" name="termsToggleSwitch" id="terms-toggle-switch" /> <span class="switch__slider"></span> <span class="option__label text-decoration-none font-size-md"> Highlight Glossary Terms </span> </label> </div> </div> <div class="reading-toggle__help"> <p> <em> Activate glossary term highlighting to easily identify key terms within the module. Once highlighted, you can click on these terms to view their definitions. </em> </p> </div> </div> <div class="glossary-container"></div> </div> <div class="tabs__panel" id="tab-panel-toggle-ngss" aria-labelledby="tab-button-toggle-ngss" role="tabpanel"> <div class="reading-toggle"> <div class="reading-toggle__switch"> <div class="form-entry__option__switch"> <label> <input type="checkbox" name="ngssToggleSwitch" id="ngss-toggle-switch" /> <span class="switch__slider"></span> <span class="option__label text-decoration-none font-size-md"> Show NGSS Annotations </span> </label> </div> </div> <div class="reading-toggle__help"> <p> <em> Activate NGSS annotations to easily identify NGSS standards within the module. Once highlighted, you can click on them to view these standards. </em> </p> </div> </div> <div class="ngss-container"></div> </div> </div> </aside> <div class="margin-3"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9561344156007092" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9561344156007092" data-ad-slot="7634263342" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </div>     <div class="module__main"> <div class="module__main__container"> <div class="accordion">  <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-key-concepts" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-key-concepts" aria-expanded="true" tabindex="0"> Did you know? </button> <div class="accordion__panel shown show" id="acc-panel-key-concepts" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-key-concepts" role="region"> <div class="accordion__panel__content"> <p>Did you know that silicates like quartz and clay are among Earth’s most important natural resources? Imagine a world without glass, bricks, pottery, or computers – all of these rely on silicate minerals. These valuable materials make up 95% of the Earth’s crust.</p> </div> </div>  <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-table-of-contents" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-table-of-contents" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="0"> Key concepts </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-table-of-contents" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-table-of-contents" role="region" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="accordion__panel__content"> <ul class="bulleted"> <li><p>Silicate minerals are the most common of Earth's minerals and include quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, pyroxene, and olivine.</p></li> <li><p>Silica tetrahedra, made up of silicon and oxygen, form chains, sheets, and frameworks, and bond with other cations to form silicate minerals.</p></li> <li><p>X-ray diffraction (XRD) allows scientists to determine the crystal structure of minerals.</p></li> <li><p>The physical properties of silicate minerals are determined largely by the crystal structure.</p></li> </ul> </div> </div>  <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-terms-you-should-know" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-terms-you-should-know" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="0"> Terms you should know </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-terms-you-should-know" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-terms-you-should-know" role="region" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="accordion__panel__content"> <dl> <dt><a href="/en/glossary/view/cleavage">cleavage </a></dt> <dd> breakage in crystal structure of certain minerals along planes where atomic bonds are weakest </dd> <dt><a href="/en/glossary/view/crust">crust </a></dt> <dd> the outermost layer of Earth; the surface layer of a planet </dd> <dt><a href="/en/glossary/view/tetrahedron">tetrahedron </a></dt> <dd> a figure with four triangular planes; a triangular pyramid</dd> </dl> </div> </div> </div> <section> <p>The <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">mineral</mark> <mark class="term" data-term="quartz" data-term-def="A common mineral compound made of silica." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/quartz/8524">quartz</mark> (SiO<sub>2</sub>) is found in all rock types and in all parts of the world. It occurs as sand grains in <mark class="term" data-term="sedimentary" data-term-def="Formed from the deposition or precipitation of sediments. Sedimentary rocks consist of sediments that have been compacted and cemented together." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/sedimentary/3311">sedimentary</mark> rocks, as <mark class="term" data-term="crystal" data-term-def="A solid of defined shape that is bound by plane surfaces (facets) that intersect at characteristic angles. The shape of a&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/crystal/1564">crystals</mark> in both <mark class="term" data-term="igneous" data-term-def="Formed from the cooling and crystallization of a magma. Igneous rocks can be extrusive, meaning that they cooled on or very&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/igneous/3314">igneous</mark> and <mark class="term" data-term="metamorphic" data-term-def="Formed through the processes involved in metamorphism, which include deep burial, exposure to high temperatures and pressures, and interactions with hydrothermal&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/metamorphic/3313">metamorphic</mark> rocks, and in <mark class="term" data-term="vein" data-term-def="One of the systems of branching vessels conveying deoxygenated blood from various parts of the body to the heart." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/vein/5276">veins</mark> that cut through all rock types, sometimes bearing gold or other precious metals. It is so common on Earth's <mark class="term" data-term="surface" data-term-def="The outside or external part; the topside face of something." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/surface/8275">surface</mark> that until the late 1700s it was referred to simply as "rock crystal." Today, quartz is what most people picture when they think of the word "crystal."</p> <p>Quartz falls into a group of <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">minerals</mark> called the <em>silicates</em>, all of which contain the <mark class="term" data-term="element" data-term-def="One of fewer than 118 pure chemical substances. An element is a substance composed of atoms with identical atomic number." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/element/1510">elements</mark> silicon and oxygen in some proportion. Silicates are by far the most common minerals in Earth's <mark class="term" data-term="crust" data-term-def="The uppermost 5-70 km of the Earth. There are two types of crust: continental and oceanic. Continental crust ranges from 10-70&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/crust/880">crust</mark> and <mark class="term" data-term="mantle" data-term-def="The middle portion of the interior of the Earth, starting below the crust at 5-70 km below the Earth’s surface and&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mantle/889">mantle</mark>, making up 95% of the crust and 97% of the mantle by most estimates. <mark id="ngss-295" class="ngss">Silicates have a wide variety of physical properties, despite the fact that they often have very similar chemical <mark class="term" data-term="formula" data-term-def="An expression of the composition of a chemical compound using symbols." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/formula/8554">formulas</mark>. At first glance, for example, the formulas for <mark class="term" data-term="quartz" data-term-def="A common mineral compound made of silica." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/quartz/8524">quartz</mark> (SiO<sub>2</sub>) and olivine ((Fe,Mg)<sub>2</sub>SiO<sub>4</sub>) appear fairly similar; these seemingly minor differences, however, reflect very different underlying <mark class="term" data-term="crystal" data-term-def="A solid of defined shape that is bound by plane surfaces (facets) that intersect at characteristic angles. The shape of a&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/crystal/1564">crystal</mark> structures and, therefore, very different physical properties. Among other differences, quartz melts at about 600° C while olivine remains <mark class="term" data-term="solid" data-term-def="A collection of atoms or molecules that are held together so that, under constant conditions, they maintain a defined shape and&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/solid/7571">solid</mark> to temperatures of nearly twice that; quartz is generally clear and colorless, whereas olivine received its name from its olive green color.</mark></p><p><mark id="ngss-296" class="ngss">The variety and abundance of the silicate minerals is a result of the nature of the silicon <mark class="term" data-term="atom" data-term-def="The smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of the element. Atoms can exist alone or in&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/atom/1509">atom</mark>, and even more specifically, the versatility and stability of silicon when it <mark class="term" data-term="bond" data-term-def="The force that holds together units such as atoms or molecules. <br> <b>[verb]</b> To hold or fasten units such as atoms or molecules together." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/bond/8297">bonds</mark> with oxygen. In fact, pure silicon was not isolated until 1822, when the Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius (see the <em>Biography</em> link in our Resources section) finally succeeded in separating silicon from its most common <mark class="term" data-term="compound" data-term-def="A material formed by the chemical combination of elements in defined proportions. Compounds can be chemically decomposed into simpler substances." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/compound/1517">compound</mark>, the silicate <mark class="term" data-term="anion" data-term-def="A negatively charged ion that migrates to the anode in an electrical cell." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/anion/1522">anion</mark> (SiO<sub>4</sub>)<sup>4-</sup>. This anion takes the shape of a <mark class="term" data-term="tetrahedron" data-term-def="A figure with four triangular planes; a triangular pyramid." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/tetrahedron/8527">tetrahedron</mark>, with an Si<sup>4+</sup> ion at the center and four O<sup>2-</sup> ions at the corners (see Figure 1); thus, the molecular anion has a net <mark class="term" data-term="charge" data-term-def="A quantity of electricity." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/charge/8258">charge</mark> of -4.</mark></p><div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-a-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 1:</strong> Three ways of drawing the silica tetrahedron: a) At left, a ball & stick model, showing the silicon cation in orange surrounded by 4 oxygen anions in blue; b) At center, a space filling model; c) At right, a geometric shorthand."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-a.jpg" alt="Three ways of drawing the silica tetrahedron"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 1:</strong> Three ways of drawing the silica tetrahedron: a) At left, a ball & stick model, showing the silicon cation in orange surrounded by 4 oxygen anions in blue; b) At center, a space filling model; c) At right, a geometric shorthand.</figcaption> </figure></div><p><mark id="ngss-297" class="ngss">The Si-O <mark class="term" data-term="bond" data-term-def="The force that holds together units such as atoms or molecules. <br> <b>[verb]</b> To hold or fasten units such as atoms or molecules together." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/bond/8297">bonds</mark> within this tetrahedral structure are partially ionic and partially covalent, and they are very strong. Silica tetrahedra bond with each other and with a variety of <mark class="term" data-term="cation" data-term-def="A positively charged ion that migrates to the cathode in an electrical cell." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cation/1521">cations</mark> in many different ways to form the silicate <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">minerals</mark>. Despite the fact that there are many hundreds of silicate minerals, only about 25 are truly common. Therefore, by understanding how these silica tetrahedra form minerals, you will be able to name and identify 95% of the rocks you encounter on Earth's <mark class="term" data-term="surface" data-term-def="The outside or external part; the topside face of something." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/surface/8275">surface</mark>.</mark></p> <div class="container margin-y-4 text-align-center"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9561344156007092" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9561344156007092" data-ad-slot="9090201191"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> <p><section id="toc_1" class=""> <h2>Seeing the structure of the silicates</h2></p> <p>Early mineralogists grouped <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">minerals</mark> according to physical properties, which spread the silicates across many groups because they have very different properties. By the early 1800s, however, <mark id="ngss-298" class="ngss">Berzelius had begun classifying minerals based on their chemical composition rather than on their physical properties, defining groups such as the oxides and sulfides – and, of course, the silicates. At the time, Berzelius was able to determine the absolute proportions of <mark class="term" data-term="element" data-term-def="One of fewer than 118 pure chemical substances. An element is a substance composed of atoms with identical atomic number." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/element/1510">elements</mark> within a mineral, but he could not see the internal arrangement of the <mark class="term" data-term="atom" data-term-def="The smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of the element. Atoms can exist alone or in&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/atom/1509">atoms</mark> of those elements in their <mark class="term" data-term="crystalline" data-term-def="Having a regular, lattice-like arrangement of atoms or molecules. Crystalline solids melt at a precise melting point and break along specific&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/crystalline/7474">crystalline</mark> structure.</mark></p><p>A detailed view of the internal arrangement of <mark class="term" data-term="atom" data-term-def="The smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of the element. Atoms can exist alone or in&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/atom/1509">atoms</mark> within <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">minerals</mark> would have to wait over 100 years for the development of <mark class="term" data-term="X-ray" data-term-def="A form of electromagnetic radiation with higher frequency and energy than any other electromagnetic radiation besides gamma rays. X-rays have various&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/X~ray/7573">X-ray</mark> <mark class="term" data-term="diffraction" data-term-def="The bending or spreading of waves when they meet an obstruction." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/diffraction/3606">diffraction</mark> (XRD) by Max von Laue, and its application to determine atomic distances by the father-son team of William Henry Bragg and William Lawrence Bragg a few years later (see their biographies in our Resources section). In the <mark class="term" data-term="process" data-term-def="Method, procedure; series of actions or steps." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/process/8256">process</mark> of XRD, X-rays are aimed at a <mark class="term" data-term="crystal" data-term-def="A solid of defined shape that is bound by plane surfaces (facets) that intersect at characteristic angles. The shape of a&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/crystal/1564">crystal</mark>. <mark id="ngss-299" class="ngss">Electrons in the atoms within the crystal interact with the X-rays and cause them to undergo diffraction. In the same way that <mark class="term" data-term="light" data-term-def="A form of electromagnetic radiation. Visible light is that associated with stimulating the organs of sight, which for normal human&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/light/1498">light</mark> can be diffracted by a grate or card (see our <a href="/library/module_viewer.php?mid=132">Light I: Particle or Wave?</a> module for more information on this topic), X-rays are diffracted by the crystal and a 2-dimensional pattern of constructive and destructive interference bands results. This pattern can be used to determine the distance between atoms within the crystal structure according to Bragg's <mark class="term" data-term="law" data-term-def="In science, a principle that describes a phenomenon, often mathematically." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/law/8686">Law</mark>.</mark> <mark id="ngss-300" class="ngss">The Braggs' work opened up a new world of mineralogy, and they were awarded a <mark class="term" data-term="Nobel Prize" data-term-def="Awards made annually, beginning in 1901, from funds originally established by Alfred B. Nobel for outstanding achievement in physics, chemistry, medicine&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/Nobel+Prize/3843">Nobel Prize</mark> in 1915 for their work determining the crystal structures of NaCl, ZnS, and diamond. XRD revealed that even minerals with similar chemical <mark class="term" data-term="formula" data-term-def="An expression of the composition of a chemical compound using symbols." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/formula/8554">formulas</mark> could have very different crystal structures, strongly influencing those minerals' chemical and physical properties.</mark></p><p>As scientists created XRD images of the atomic structure of minerals, they were better able to understand the nature of the <mark class="term" data-term="bond" data-term-def="The force that holds together units such as atoms or molecules. <br> <b>[verb]</b> To hold or fasten units such as atoms or molecules together." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/bond/8297">bonds</mark> between <mark class="term" data-term="atom" data-term-def="The smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of the element. Atoms can exist alone or in&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/atom/1509">atoms</mark> in the silicate and other crystals. Within a silica <mark class="term" data-term="tetrahedron" data-term-def="A figure with four triangular planes; a triangular pyramid." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/tetrahedron/8527">tetrahedron</mark>, any single Si-O bond requires half of the available <mark class="term" data-term="bonding" data-term-def="The act of fastening two atoms together." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/bonding/8295">bonding</mark> <mark class="term" data-term="electron" data-term-def="A subatomic particle with a negative charge of 1.60 × 10<sup>-19</sup> coulombs and a mass of 9.11 × 10<sup>-31</sup> kg. Electrons&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/electron/852">electrons</mark> of the O<sup>2-</sup> ion, meaning that each O<sup>2-</sup> may bond with a second ion, including another Si<sup>4+</sup> ion. The result of this is that the silica tetrahedra can polymerize, or form chain-like <mark class="term" data-term="compound" data-term-def="A material formed by the chemical combination of elements in defined proportions. Compounds can be chemically decomposed into simpler substances." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/compound/1517">compounds</mark>, by sharing an oxygen atom with a neighboring silica tetrahedron. <mark id="ngss-301" class="ngss">The silicates are, in fact, subdivided based on the shape and bonding pattern of these <mark class="term" data-term="polymer" data-term-def="A large molecule consisting of recurring units of a smaller molecule. A polymer can be thought of as a molecular chain,&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/polymer/1593">polymers</mark>, because the shape influences the external crystal form, the hardness and <mark class="term" data-term="cleavage" data-term-def="Breakage in crystal structure of certain minerals along planes where atomic bonds are weakest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cleavage/8526">cleavage</mark> of the mineral, the melting temperature, and the resistance to <mark class="term" data-term="weathering" data-term-def="The destructive processes that change the physical and chemical characteristics of rocks at the earth's surface. Physical breakdown of large rocks&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/weathering/2277">weathering</mark>. These different atomic structures produce recognizable and consistent physical properties, so it is useful to understand the structures at an atomic level in order to identify and classify the silicate minerals. Identifying minerals in a rock may seem like an arcane exercise, but it is only by identifying minerals that we begin to understand the history of a given rock.</mark></p> <p><p>The most common silicate <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">minerals</mark> fall into four types of structures, described in more detail below: isolated tetrahedra, chains of silica tetrahedra, sheets of tetrahedra, and a framework of interconnected tetrahedra. </p></p> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form name="cc6466"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">The silica tetrahedron is made up of</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-6466-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-6466" type="radio" value="a silicon atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> a silicon atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-6466-0"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-6466-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-6466" type="radio" value="an oxygen atom surrounded by four silicon atoms." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> an oxygen atom surrounded by four silicon atoms. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-6466-1"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc_2"> <h2>Isolated tetrahedra: Olivine</h2><p><mark id="ngss-302" class="ngss">The simplest atomic structure involves individual silica <mark class="term" data-term="anion" data-term-def="A negatively charged ion that migrates to the anode in an electrical cell." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/anion/1522">anions</mark> and metal <mark class="term" data-term="cation" data-term-def="A positively charged ion that migrates to the cathode in an electrical cell." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cation/1521">cations</mark>, usually iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg), both of which exist most commonly as <mark class="term" data-term="ion" data-term-def="An atom or molecule that has acquired an electrical charge by either gaining or losing electrons. A cation is an ion&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/ion/853">ions</mark> with <mark class="term" data-term="charge" data-term-def="A quantity of electricity." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/charge/8258">charge</mark> of +2. Therefore, it takes two <mark class="term" data-term="atom" data-term-def="The smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of the element. Atoms can exist alone or in&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/atom/1509">atoms</mark> of Fe<sup>2+</sup> or Mg<sup>2+</sup> (or one of each) to balance the -4 charge of the silica anion. Olivine (see Figures 2a and 2b below) is the most common silicate of this type, and it makes up most of the <mark class="term" data-term="mantle" data-term-def="The middle portion of the interior of the Earth, starting below the crust at 5-70 km below the Earth’s surface and&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mantle/889">mantle</mark>. Because these minerals contain a relatively high proportion of iron and magnesium, they tend to be both <mark class="term" data-term="dense" data-term-def="Compact, packed close together; having a high mass in relation to volume." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/dense/8273">dense</mark> and dark-colored. Because the tetrahedra are not polymerized, there are no consistent planes of internal atomic weakness, so they also have no <mark class="term" data-term="cleavage" data-term-def="Breakage in crystal structure of certain minerals along planes where atomic bonds are weakest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cleavage/8526">cleavage</mark>. Garnet is another common mineral with this structure.</mark></p><div class="figure-two-across"> <div> <div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-b-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 2a:</strong> Depiction of a single silicate tetrahedron."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-b.jpg" alt="Depiction of a single silicate tetrahedron"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 2a:</strong> Depiction of a single silicate tetrahedron.</figcaption> </figure></div> </div> <div> <div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-c-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 2b:</strong> A picture of olivine (the green crystals), an example of a silicate structure composed of isolated tetrahedrons, with a vein of basalt (the gray material)."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-c.jpg" alt="A picture of olivine"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 2b:</strong> A picture of olivine (the green crystals), an example of a silicate structure composed of isolated tetrahedrons, with a vein of basalt (the gray material).</figcaption> </figure></div> </div> </div></section> <section id="toc_3"> <h2>Chains of tetrahedra: Pyroxenes and amphiboles</h2><p>When silicate <mark class="term" data-term="anion" data-term-def="A negatively charged ion that migrates to the anode in an electrical cell." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/anion/1522">anions</mark> polymerize, they share an oxygen <mark class="term" data-term="atom" data-term-def="The smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of the element. Atoms can exist alone or in&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/atom/1509">atom</mark> with a neighboring <mark class="term" data-term="tetrahedron" data-term-def="A figure with four triangular planes; a triangular pyramid." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/tetrahedron/8527">tetrahedron</mark>. <mark id="ngss-303" class="ngss">Commonly, each tetrahedron will share two of its oxygen atoms, forming long chain structures. These chains still have a net negative <mark class="term" data-term="charge" data-term-def="A quantity of electricity." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/charge/8258">charge</mark>, however, and the chains <mark class="term" data-term="bond" data-term-def="The force that holds together units such as atoms or molecules. <br> <b>[verb]</b> To hold or fasten units such as atoms or molecules together." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/bond/8297">bond</mark> to metal <mark class="term" data-term="cation" data-term-def="A positively charged ion that migrates to the cathode in an electrical cell." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cation/1521">cations</mark> like Fe<sup>2+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, and Ca<sup>2+</sup> to balance the negative charge. These metal cations commonly bond to multiple chains, forming bridges between the chains. Single-chain silicates include a common group called the pyroxenes, which are generally dark-colored (see Figures 3a and 3b). Because the bonds within the tetrahedra are strong, planes of atomic weakness do not cross the chains; instead, pyroxenes have two <mark class="term" data-term="cleavage" data-term-def="Breakage in crystal structure of certain minerals along planes where atomic bonds are weakest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cleavage/8526">cleavage</mark> planes parallel to the chains and at nearly right angles to each other.</mark></p><div class="figure-two-across"> <div> <div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-d-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 3a:</strong> A schematic diagram of the single chain silica structure. Where two tetrahedra touch, they share an oxygen ion."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-d.jpg" alt="A schematic diagram of the single chain silica structure"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 3a:</strong> A schematic diagram of the single chain silica structure. Where two tetrahedra touch, they share an oxygen ion.</figcaption> </figure></div> </div> <div> <div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-e-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 3b:</strong> Pyroxene is one of the dominant minerals in this sample of gabbro. It is the dark mineral and can be hard to recognize."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-e.jpg" alt="Pyroxene is one of the dominant minerals in this sample of gabbro"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 3b:</strong> Pyroxene is one of the dominant minerals in this sample of gabbro. It is the dark mineral and can be hard to recognize.</figcaption> </figure></div> </div> </div><p>Double chains form when every other <mark class="term" data-term="tetrahedron" data-term-def="A figure with four triangular planes; a triangular pyramid." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/tetrahedron/8527">tetrahedron</mark> in a single chain shares a third oxygen ion with an adjoining chain (see Figure 4a). Like single chains, the double chains still maintain a net negative <mark class="term" data-term="charge" data-term-def="A quantity of electricity." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/charge/8258">charge</mark> and <mark class="term" data-term="bond" data-term-def="The force that holds together units such as atoms or molecules. <br> <b>[verb]</b> To hold or fasten units such as atoms or molecules together." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/bond/8297">bond</mark> to <mark class="term" data-term="cation" data-term-def="A positively charged ion that migrates to the cathode in an electrical cell." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cation/1521">cations</mark> that can form bridges between multiple double chains.</p> <div class="container margin-y-4 text-align-center"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9561344156007092" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9561344156007092" data-ad-slot="3321739899"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> <div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-f-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 4a:</strong> A schematic diagram of the double chain silicate structure."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-f.jpg" alt="A schematic diagram of the double chain silicate structure"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 4a:</strong> A schematic diagram of the double chain silicate structure.</figcaption> </figure></div><p><mark id="ngss-304" class="ngss">Double chain silicates, called amphiboles, host a wider variety of <mark class="term" data-term="cation" data-term-def="A positively charged ion that migrates to the cathode in an electrical cell." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cation/1521">cations</mark>, including Fe<sup>2+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Al<sup>3+</sup>, and Na<sup>+</sup>, and have a wide variety of colors. The most common amphibole is hornblende, a black <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">mineral</mark> found in <mark class="term" data-term="igneous" data-term-def="Formed from the cooling and crystallization of a magma. Igneous rocks can be extrusive, meaning that they cooled on or very&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/igneous/3314">igneous</mark> rocks like <mark class="term" data-term="granite" data-term-def="A light-colored, coarse-grained igneous rock formed by cooling of silica-rich magma below the surface of the Earth. Granite is considered to&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/granite/1665">granite</mark> and <mark class="term" data-term="andesite" data-term-def="An extrusive igneous rock of intermediate composition, often gray in color. The main minerals present in andesite are plagioclase and hornblende.&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/andesite/3316">andesite</mark> (see Figures 4b and 4c). Amphiboles tend to form prismatic <mark class="term" data-term="crystal" data-term-def="A solid of defined shape that is bound by plane surfaces (facets) that intersect at characteristic angles. The shape of a&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/crystal/1564">crystals</mark> with two <mark class="term" data-term="cleavage" data-term-def="Breakage in crystal structure of certain minerals along planes where atomic bonds are weakest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cleavage/8526">cleavage</mark> planes at 120 <mark class="term" data-term="degree" data-term-def="[<strong>temperature</strong>] One graduated unit of measure on a Fahrenheit or Celsius temperature scale. On the Kelvin scale, graduations are called Kelvins. <br> <br> [<strong>geometry</strong>]&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/degree/8535">degrees</mark> to each other.</mark></p><div class="figure-two-across"> <div> <div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-g.mp4" class="mfp-iframe" title="<strong>Figure 4b:</strong> Individual hornblende crystals where the characteristic cleavage can be seen."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-g.jpg" alt="Individual hornblende crystals"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 4b:</strong> Individual hornblende crystals where the characteristic cleavage can be seen.</figcaption> </figure></div> </div> <div> <div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-h-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 4c:</strong> Hornblende is the dark mineral in this rock."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-h.jpg" alt="Hornblende"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 4c:</strong> Hornblende is the dark mineral in this rock.</figcaption> </figure></div> </div> </div> <p>Pyroxenes and amphiboles can be difficult to distinguish from one another, as they are both dark-colored, blocky <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">minerals</mark>. A careful examination of the angle between <mark class="term" data-term="cleavage" data-term-def="Breakage in crystal structure of certain minerals along planes where atomic bonds are weakest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cleavage/8526">cleavage</mark> planes, described above, is required to identify them.</p> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form name="cc6467"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">The best way to tell single-chain silicate minerals from double-chain silicate minerals is by examining their</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-6467-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-6467" type="radio" value="color." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> color. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-6467-0"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-6467-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-6467" type="radio" value="cleavage planes." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> cleavage planes. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-6467-1"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc_4"> <h2>Sheets: Micas and clays</h2><p><mark id="ngss-305" class="ngss">When every <mark class="term" data-term="tetrahedron" data-term-def="A figure with four triangular planes; a triangular pyramid." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/tetrahedron/8527">tetrahedron</mark> shares three of its oxygen ions with neighboring tetrahedra, sheets are formed (see Figure 5a). Micas such as muscovite and biotite (see Figure 5b) are both common sheet silicates, notable for their one perfect <mark class="term" data-term="cleavage" data-term-def="Breakage in crystal structure of certain minerals along planes where atomic bonds are weakest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cleavage/8526">cleavage</mark>. This perfect cleavage results from the type of <mark class="term" data-term="bond" data-term-def="The force that holds together units such as atoms or molecules. <br> <b>[verb]</b> To hold or fasten units such as atoms or molecules together." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/bond/8297">bonds</mark> that occur between sheets – van der Waals bonds. Because van der Waals bonds are weak, cleavage occurs between sheets, never across sheets. Clays are another very important sheet silicate that incorporate water into their atomic structure. The presence of water lubricates the sheets and is what makes clays easy to work with in forming pottery; the firing process heats the minerals to the point where the water is driven off, resulting in a rigid, durable structure such as a pot.</mark></p><div class="figure-two-across"> <div> <div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-j-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 5b:</strong> An example of biotite."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-j.jpg" alt="An example of biotite"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 5b:</strong> An example of biotite.</figcaption> </figure></div> </div> <div> <div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-k-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 5c:</strong> An example of muscovite. (Both biotite and muscovite are micas, which are one kind of sheet silicate.)"> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-k.jpg" alt="Biotite and muscovite"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 5c:</strong> An example of muscovite. (Both biotite and muscovite are micas, which are one kind of sheet silicate.)</figcaption> </figure></div> </div> </div></section> <section id="toc_5"> <h2>Framework: <mark class="term" data-term="quartz" data-term-def="A common mineral compound made of silica." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/quartz/8524">Quartz</mark> and feldspar</h2><div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-l-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 6a:</strong> An example of the 3-dimensional structure formed by a framework silicate."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-l.jpg" alt="An example of the 3-dimensional structure formed by a framework silicate"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 6a:</strong> An example of the 3-dimensional structure formed by a framework silicate</figcaption> </figure></div><p><mark id="ngss-306" class="ngss">When each <mark class="term" data-term="tetrahedron" data-term-def="A figure with four triangular planes; a triangular pyramid." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/tetrahedron/8527">tetrahedron</mark> shares all of its oxygen atoms with adjacent tetrahedra, a very strong 3-dimensional framework of Si-O bonds is formed (see Figure 6a). <mark class="term" data-term="quartz" data-term-def="A common mineral compound made of silica." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/quartz/8524">Quartz</mark> is pure SiO<sup>2</sup>; note that the <mark class="term" data-term="charge" data-term-def="A quantity of electricity." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/charge/8258">charge</mark> is now exactly balanced and no other <mark class="term" data-term="bonding" data-term-def="The act of fastening two atoms together." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/bonding/8295">bonding</mark> <mark class="term" data-term="ion" data-term-def="An atom or molecule that has acquired an electrical charge by either gaining or losing electrons. A cation is an ion&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/ion/853">ions</mark> are needed. In the feldspars, one or two out of every four Si<sup>4+</sup> ions is replaced by an Al<sup>3+</sup> ion, creating a charge imbalance that must be solved through the presence of additional cations: K<sup>+</sup>, Na<sup>+</sup>, and Ca<sup>2+</sup>. There are two kinds of feldspars upon which cations are incorporated into the structure. Feldspars that contain the K<sup>+</sup> cation are called K-feldspars, or alkali feldspar, whereas those that contain Na<sup>+</sup> and Ca<sup>2+</sup> are called plagioclase feldspars (see Figure 6b). This separation occurs because K<sup>+</sup> is a much larger cation than either Ca<sup>2+</sup> or Na<sup>+</sup>, and its presence creates a slightly expanded framework structure.</mark></p><div class="figure"><figure> <a href="/images/figure-images/140-m-2x.jpg" title="<strong>Figure 6b:</strong> The white, blocky minerals in the rock on the left are plagioclase feldspar; the pink minerals in the rock on the right (granite) are K-feldspar."> <span class="fa fa-search-plus"></span> <img src="/images/figure-images/140-m.jpg" alt="Feldspar and K-feldspar"> </a> <figcaption><strong>Figure 6b:</strong> The white, blocky minerals in the rock on the left are plagioclase feldspar; the pink minerals in the rock on the right (granite) are K-feldspar.</figcaption> </figure></div><p><mark id="ngss-307" class="ngss">Like olivine, <mark class="term" data-term="quartz" data-term-def="A common mineral compound made of silica." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/quartz/8524">quartz</mark> also has no <mark class="term" data-term="cleavage" data-term-def="Breakage in crystal structure of certain minerals along planes where atomic bonds are weakest." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/cleavage/8526">cleavage</mark>, because there is no natural weakness within that 3-dimensional framework. The feldspars, on the other hand, have two good cleavage planes at ~90 degrees to each other, due in part to the way that the aluminum <mark class="term" data-term="ion" data-term-def="An atom or molecule that has acquired an electrical charge by either gaining or losing electrons. A cation is an ion&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/ion/853">ion</mark> changes the structure slightly, opening up planes of weakness. Quartz and feldspar are generally light-colored as well, making them easily distinguishable from darker <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">minerals</mark> like olivine and pyroxene.</mark></p><p>Quartz and feldspar together make up the bulk of the rocks we see at the <mark class="term" data-term="surface" data-term-def="The outside or external part; the topside face of something." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/surface/8275">surface</mark>. Plagioclase feldspar is the single most common mineral in Earth's <mark class="term" data-term="crust" data-term-def="The uppermost 5-70 km of the Earth. There are two types of crust: continental and oceanic. Continental crust ranges from 10-70&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/crust/880">crust</mark>, making up an estimated 39% of both continental and oceanic crust. <mark class="term" data-term="quartz" data-term-def="A common mineral compound made of silica." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/quartz/8524">Quartz</mark> only makes up an estimated 12% of the entire crust, but it is by far the most common mineral we see on the surface because of its resistance to <mark class="term" data-term="weathering" data-term-def="The destructive processes that change the physical and chemical characteristics of rocks at the earth's surface. Physical breakdown of large rocks&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/weathering/2277">weathering</mark>.</p><p>Familiarity with these few <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">minerals</mark> – olivine, garnet, pyroxene, hornblende, muscovite, biotite, K-feldspar, plagioclase, and <mark class="term" data-term="quartz" data-term-def="A common mineral compound made of silica." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/quartz/8524">quartz</mark> – prepares you to identify and interpret the vast majority of rocks you will see on Earth's <mark class="term" data-term="surface" data-term-def="The outside or external part; the topside face of something." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/surface/8275">surface</mark>.</p> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form name="cc6468"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">Quartz has no cleavage because</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-6468-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-6468" type="radio" value="its framework structure has no natural weaknesses." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> its framework structure has no natural weaknesses. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-6468-0"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-6468-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-6468" type="radio" value="it is identical in structure to feldspar." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> it is identical in structure to feldspar. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-6468-1"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc_6"> <h2>Silicates as a natural resource</h2><p><mark id="ngss-308" class="ngss">Though we generally think of coal or oil when discussing <mark class="term" data-term="natural resources" data-term-def="Materials produced through or contained within Earth's natural systems and used by humans and other species. They include minerals and soil,&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/natural+resources/5617">natural resources</mark>, silicate <mark class="term" data-term="mineral" data-term-def="A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. Examples of minerals include quartz (SiO<sub>2</sub>), salt&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mineral/2978">minerals</mark> are a <mark class="term" data-term="natural resources" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/natural+resources" data-term-def="Materials produced through or contained within Earth's natural systems and used by humans and other species. They include minerals and soil,&hellip;">natural resource</mark> we can't live without on our planet, and not just because of our increasing reliance on computers. Without <mark class="term" data-term="quartz" data-term-def="A common mineral compound made of silica." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/quartz/8524">quartz</mark>, there would be no glass. Without the clay minerals, we would have no ceramics or pottery. We use silicate minerals in the manufacture of many building materials, including bricks and concrete. The <mark class="term" data-term="weathering" data-term-def="The destructive processes that change the physical and chemical characteristics of rocks at the earth's surface. Physical breakdown of large rocks&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/weathering/2277">weathering</mark> of silicate minerals on the <mark class="term" data-term="surface" data-term-def="The outside or external part; the topside face of something." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/surface/8275">surface</mark> of Earth produces the <mark class="term" data-term="soil" data-term-def="The loose top layer of Earth’s surface where plants grow, made up of particles of rocks, minerals, and organic material." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/soil/8563">soils</mark> in which we grow our foods and the sand on our beaches. The properties of the minerals that are important to us are based on the versatility of the silicate <mark class="term" data-term="anion" data-term-def="A negatively charged ion that migrates to the anode in an electrical cell." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/anion/1522">anion</mark> in combination with other <mark class="term" data-term="element" data-term-def="One of fewer than 118 pure chemical substances. An element is a substance composed of atoms with identical atomic number." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/element/1510">elements</mark>.</mark></p></section> <footer class="module__main__footer"> <hr class="border-color-dark"> <p class="citation"> <em> Anne E. Egger, Ph.D. “The Silicate Minerals” Visionlearning Vol. EAS-2 (9), 2006. </em> </p>  <div class="title-list" name="further"> <p class="h6 title-list__title"> Further Reading </p> <ul class="grid grid--column-2--md grid--column-3--md gap-1"> <li> <a class="no-hover-focus height-100" href="/en/library/Earth-Science/6/Defining-Minerals/119"> <article class="flex-row align-items-center flex-column--md align-items-start--md height-100 theme-light padding-2 gap-2"> <div class="width-30 width-auto--md"> <img class="border-radius box-shadow-1" src="/img/library/moduleImages/featured_image_119-23061209065734.jpeg" alt="Defining Minerals"> </div> <div class="flex-grow-shrink"> <h2 class="h6 font-weight-normal"> Defining Minerals: <em>Composition and crystal structure</em> </h2> </div> </article> </a> </li> <li> <a class="no-hover-focus height-100" href="/en/library/Earth-Science/6/Properties-of-Minerals/130"> <article class="flex-row align-items-center flex-column--md align-items-start--md height-100 theme-light padding-2 gap-2"> <div class="width-30 width-auto--md"> <img class="border-radius box-shadow-1" src="/img/library/moduleImages/featured_image_130-23061209065745.jpeg" alt="Identifying Minerals"> </div> <div class="flex-grow-shrink"> <h2 class="h6 font-weight-normal"> Identifying Minerals: <em>Characterizing minerals' physical properties</em> </h2> </div> </article> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </footer> </div>    </article> </div> </div> </main> <script id="ngssCommentdata" type="application/json"> [{"ngss_tag_id":null,"type":"dci","tag":null,"name":null,"description":null,"comment":"The structure and interactions of matter at the bulk scale are determined by electrical forces within and between atoms. 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