GEOLOGY INORGANIC CHEMISTRY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site silicates Salts of silicic acids; all contain silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals, and may contain hydrogen. Discrete silicate anions include orthosilicates (SiO4-4), metasilicates (SiO32-), and groups of SiO4 units linked by Si–O–Si bonds; such condensation also produces infinite anions in chains, layers, or three-dimensional arrays. Silicates (including aluminosilicates) are the largest and most important group of minerals, forming 90% of the Earth's crust. Common examples of silicate minerals are feldspars and quartz. Related categories    • GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE    • INORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP