Silicate minerals, which form the majority of the Earth's crust, are classified based on the arrangement and polymerization of the silica tetrahedron, which consists of one silicon atom bonded to four oxygen atoms (\(SiO_4\)).
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the classification for silicate minerals that are built from single chains of linked \(SiO_4\) tetrahedra.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's review the main silicate structures:
Nesosilicates: Have isolated \(SiO_4\) tetrahedra that are not linked to each other (e.g., Olivine).
Inosilicates: Tetrahedra are linked to form chains. This group is subdivided into:
Single-chain silicates, where each tetrahedron shares two oxygen atoms (e.g., Pyroxenes).
Double-chain silicates, where half the tetrahedra share two oxygens and half share three (e.g., Amphiboles).
Phyllosilicates: Tetrahedra are linked to form continuous two-dimensional sheets, with each tetrahedron sharing three oxygen atoms (e.g., Micas).
Tectosilicates: All four oxygen atoms in each tetrahedron are shared, forming a three-dimensional framework (e.g., Quartz, Feldspars).
The structure described in the question, a single chain, directly corresponds to the single-chain inosilicate group.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct classification is Inosilicates (single chain).