USESO Guide: Mineralogy

Question 1

6 Groups of Silicate Minerals

Answer 1

Nesosilicates, Sorosilicates, Inosilicates, Phyllosilicates, Cyclosilicates, Tectosilicates

Question 2

What are Nesosilicates

Answer 2

Silicates composed of Isolated single tetrahedra. Includes Olivine

Question 3

What are Sorosilicates

Answer 3

Silicates composed of Isolated double tetrahedra

Question 4

What are Inosilicates

Answer 4

Chain silicates that have Single and Double chained silicates. Single chained silicates include pyroxene and Double chained silicates included Amphiboles

Question 5

What are Phyllosilicates

Answer 5

are composed of tetrahedra which form plates. Includes micas

Question 6

What are Cyclosilicates

Answer 6

are formed by three, four, or six tetrahedra linked
together to form a ring

Question 7

What are Tectosilicates

Answer 7

form three-dimensional shapes, and are the most
complex form of silicate. This includes feldspars and quartz

Question 8

2 Types of Phase Diagrams for Mineral representation

Answer 8

Pressure-Temperature Phase Diagrams and Isobaric Phase Diagrams