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

Step 1: Nesosilicates share 0 oxygen corners between tetrahedra, the lowest linkage.
Step 2: Inosilicates share 2 corners (chains) and phyllosilicates share 3 corners (sheets).
Step 3: Tectosilicates share all 4 corners, forming a 3D framework, the highest linkage.
Step 4: Decreasing order is (C), (B), (D), (A), so option 2 is correct.