Chemistry - CHEMICAL BONDING Question with Solution | TestHub

$x$ (Hybrid orbitals): Each Silicon atom in a silicate unit is sp³ hybridized to form a tetrahedral geometry, so $x=4$.

$y$ (Max Si atoms per Oxygen): In linked silicate structures, a shared oxygen atom bridges two Silicon atoms, meaning the maximum value is $y=2$.

$z$ (Shared vertices): The image shows a 2D sheet silicate (phyllosilicate) where each tetrahedron shares 3 vertices with neighboring units, so $z=3$.

Final Sum: Adding the values together gives $x+y+z=4+2+3=9$.