Question

Arrange the following in decreasing order according to the number of linkages among silicon tetrahedra of soil particles:
(A) Nesosilicates
(B) Phyllosilicates
(C) Tectosilicates
(D) Inosilicates
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B), (C), (D)
• B. (C), (B), (D), (A)
• C. (B), (A), (D), (C)
• D. (A), (B), (D), (C)

Hint:

Linkages among tetrahedra increase from nesosilicates (no sharing) to tectosilicates (full sharing of all oxygen atoms).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The number of linkages in silicon tetrahedra varies among silicate types. Tectosilicates have all four oxygen atoms shared (maximum linkages), followed by phyllosilicates (three shared), then inosilicates (two shared), and nesosilicates have isolated tetrahedra (no shared oxygens). Thus, the order is: Tectosilicates > Phyllosilicates > Inosilicates > Nesosilicates.

Answer 2

Deriving the order from tetrahedral linkage: Each silicon tetrahedron can share 0 to 4 of its oxygen corners with neighbouring tetrahedra.
Nesosilicates share 0 oxygens (isolated tetrahedra), inosilicates share 2 oxygens (chain structures), phyllosilicates share 3 oxygens (sheet structures), and tectosilicates share all 4 oxygens (3-D framework).
Ranking from the highest number of shared linkages to the lowest gives Tectosilicates > Phyllosilicates > Inosilicates > Nesosilicates, i.e. (C), (B), (D), (A).