Silicates are the most common mineral group and differences between some silicates are due to only slight variations in their compositions. Explain the conditions necessary for elements to substitute to occur for Si and Mg

What will be an ideal response?


Substitution of one element must be of comparable size to fit into the same site in crystal structure.
Al3+ swaps for Si4+ in silicate tetrahedron.
Charge differences must be accommodated.
Add other cations (positive charges); no longer quartz.
Mg2+ and Fe2+ are similar size and charge and swap readily in minerals such as olivine.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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