The octahedral structural unit of clay minerals consists of _______ hy...
Concept:
The atomic structure of clay minerals has two fundamental crystalline sheets:
- Tetrahedral sheet or Silica sheet
- Octahedral sheet or Alumina sheet
1. Tetrahedral sheet or Silica sheet: It consists of four oxygen atoms placed at tips of a tetrahedron enclosing a silicon atom. Each of the ‘O’ ion at the base is common to two adjacent units. The sharing of charges leaves three negative charges at the base per tetrahedral sheet. This, along with two negative charges at apex, makes total four negative charges with four positive charges of the silicon ion. Thus there is net charge of -1 per unit.
2. Octahedral sheet or Alumina sheet: It is combination of octahedral units. An octahedral unit consists of six hydroxyl ions at the tips of an octahedron enclosing an aluminum or magnesium or any other metallic atom. The rows of hydroxyl ions in the sheet are in two planes with each hydroxyl ion common to three octahedral units. Each hydroxyl ion divides its -1 charge with two other units, leaving a total of 2 negative charge per unit. Thus, net charge of an octahedral unit with aluminum ion having +3 charge at center is +1.
The octahedral structural unit of clay minerals consists of _______ hy...
Octahedral Structural Unit of Clay Minerals
The octahedral structural unit of clay minerals refers to the arrangement of atoms within the crystal structure of clay minerals. Clay minerals are a type of phyllosilicate minerals, which are layered silicates with a sheet-like structure. The octahedral layer is one of the two main layers in the crystal structure of clay minerals, with the other being the tetrahedral layer.
Structure of Octahedral Layer
The octahedral layer consists of hydroxyls forming a configuration of an octahedron with one aluminum atom at the center. This arrangement is known as the octahedral sheet or layer. The octahedron consists of six hydroxyls arranged around a central aluminum atom. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B' - six hydroxyls.
Explanation of Answer
1. Octahedral Configuration: The term "octahedral" refers to the arrangement of atoms or ions in a shape similar to an octahedron, which has eight faces. In the case of clay minerals, the octahedral configuration is formed by six hydroxyl ions (OH-) surrounding a central aluminum (Al) atom.
2. Hydroxyls: Hydroxyls are negatively charged ions composed of one atom of oxygen (O) and one atom of hydrogen (H). In clay minerals, the hydroxyls are part of the structure and contribute to the overall charge balance.
3. Aluminum Atom: The aluminum atom in the center of the octahedral configuration is positively charged and acts as the central cation. It balances the negative charge of the surrounding hydroxyls.
4. Charge Balance: Clay minerals have a net negative charge due to the substitution of aluminum by other cations, such as magnesium or iron. This charge is balanced by the presence of cations in the interlayer space between the octahedral and tetrahedral layers.
Conclusion
The octahedral structural unit of clay minerals consists of six hydroxyls forming a configuration of an octahedron with one aluminum atom at the center. This arrangement is crucial for the overall crystal structure and chemical properties of clay minerals. Understanding the octahedral layer is essential for studying the behavior and properties of clay minerals in various applications, including geotechnical engineering, soil science, and material science.
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