The building block of silicate minerals is the A) linear SiO unit. B) the bent SiO₂ unit. C) trigonal-bipyramidal SiO₅ unit. D) tetrahedral SiO₄ unit. E) the linear SiO₂ unit.

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The tetrahedral SiO₄ unit is the building block of silicate minerals, as it forms the backbone of the silicate structure. This unit consists of a central silicon atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms, with each oxygen atom sharing two of its electrons with the silicon atom, resulting in a tetrahedral shape.

The Building Block of Silicate Minerals Is the