Question

How many oxygen are shared per $Si{O_4}$ tetrahedra in silicate anion of beryl mineral ?
A. 4
B. 3
C. 2
D. 1

Answer 1

Oxygen is a diatomic gas. It is colourless, odourless and insipid gas. It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. It is slightly soluble in water and alcohol. It is paramagnetic in nature. It supports combustion.

Complete step by step answer:
The formula for beryl minerals is $B{e_3}A{l_2}{(Si{O_3})_6}$. It is a minor ore of beryllium. It is known as a gemstone. It is composed of beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate. It is a hexagonal mineral which naturally occurs. The different types of beryl are emerald which is green in colour, other is aquamarine which is pale blue green in colour, the other is heliodor which is golden yellow in colour, and the one is morganite which is pink in colour. The beryl mineral contains six silicate rings. The silicate linked in beryl mineral is a crystal silicate which is formed by linkage of three or more than three tetrahedral $Si{O_4}^{4 - }$ units cyclically. Each unit of $Si{O_4}^{4 - }$ shares two oxygen atoms with other units of $Si{O_4}^{4 - }$. So the oxygen which is shared per $Si{O_4}$ tetrahedral in silicate anion of beryl mineral is two.

So the correct option for this answer is option C.

Note: Silicate ion has the bond angle of ${109.5^o}$ and bond length of 162pm. It is generally stabilised. Silicate is soluble in alkali cations such as sodium ortho and metasilicate. It has the ability to form solid hydrates when they are crystallized from solution.