Chapter 22, Problem 22.18CA

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

To draw the plausible structure of the silicate anion mineral, wollastonite, ${\text{Ca}}_{\text{3}}{\text{Si}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}_{\text{9}}$.

Concept introduction:
Tetrahedron is used as the fundamental building block for building a silicate structure such as ${\text{SiO}}_{\text{4}}{}^{\text{-4}}$.

This element will have center $\text{Si}$ atom and which is covered by 4 oxygen atoms. The overall charge was calculated by $+4+(4x-2)=-4$. These structures can be represented by single tetrahedron, 2 tetrahedron sharing a corner, 3 tetrahedron in a ring, 6 tetrahedron in a ring.