Question

What is the basic structural unit of a silicate?

(a) Si4^–

(b) SiO^–

(c) SiO4

(d) SiO4^4-

The question was posed to me in an online quiz.

My doubt stems from p-Block Elements topic in chapter p-Block Elements of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct answer is (d) SiO4^4-

The explanation is: Silicates are the metal derivatives of silicic acid, H2SiO3 and can be obtained by fusing metal oxides or metal carbonates with sand. The basic structural unit of silicates is SiO4^4-. An example is Zircon (ZrSiO4).