Final answer:
The statement that silica tetrahedron can be portrayed in different ways is true because the silica tetrahedron, made up of four oxygen atoms and one silicon atom, forms the foundational unit for various silicate mineral structures. These tetrahedra link in different ways, creating a diversity of minerals, including quartz.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that silica tetrahedron can be portrayed in different ways is true. In silicate minerals, the fundamental building block is the silica tetrahedron, which consists of a central silicon atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms arranged in a tetrahedral shape. This structure, where the silicon ion has a charge of +4 and each oxygen ion has a charge of -2, results in a net charge of -4 for the tetrahedron. These tetrahedral units can link together in various ways, sharing oxygen atoms and forming different silicate structures.
For example, they can remain as single, independent units or join together to form chains, sheets, frameworks, and other complex arrangements. When tetrahedra share oxygen atoms, the resulting silicon-to-oxygen ratio can change, as exemplified by the ratio of 1:3 in a single chain of tetrahedra. An extreme case of tetrahedral linking results in the three-dimensional network of quartz with the formula SiO₂. It is important to distinguish between the different ways silica tetrahedra can combine, which determines the properties and classifications of various silicate minerals.