Chemistry - CHEMICAL BONDING Question with Solution | TestHub

Silicates are compounds containing silicon and oxygen, often with other elements. The fundamental unit of silicates is the SiO₄⁴⁻ tetrahedron.

Discrete chain silicates are formed by linking these SiO₄⁴⁻ tetrahedra in a chain-like manner.

For a 3-membered discrete chain silicate (also known as a pyrosilicate or disilicate, though the question implies a chain of 3 units, not just 2), the general formula for a linear chain of 'n' tetrahedra is Si${}_n$O${}_{3n+1}$$^{(2n+2)-}$.

For n = 3:

Si₃O${}_{3(3)+1}$${}^{(2(3)+2)-}$

Si₃O${}_{9+1}$${}^{(6+2)-}$

Si₃O₁₀⁸⁻

This formula represents a chain of three SiO₄ tetrahedra sharing oxygen atoms. Each silicon atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms. In a chain, the internal silicon atoms share two oxygen atoms with adjacent silicon atoms, while the terminal silicon atoms share one oxygen atom.

Therefore, the formula for a 3-membered discrete chain silicate is Si₃O₁₀⁸⁻.

The final answer is $\boxed{S{i}_3{\mathrm{O}}_{10}{}^{8-}}$.