Question

The general formula of orthosilicates or nesosilicates is :
(A) $M_4(Si{O}_4)$
(B) $M_4(Si{O}_3)$
(C) $M_2(Si{O}_2)$
(D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint :As we know that the orthosilicates are the group of compounds in the chemistry in which silicate in the anion part in which silicon is attached with four oxygen atoms through a single bond and has a $4-$ charge. So by applying this definition we will find the correct option from the above.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
We know that the orthosilicates contain discrete $[Si{O}_4{]}^{4-}$ units with the valency $4$ .
Also Nesosilicates or orthosilicates have $Si{O}_4$ tetrahedral that are isolated and connected by interstitial cations. Cations such as sodium, magnesium etc can form salts with this and are called orthosilicates.
So we can say that if the compound has $[Si{O}_4{]}^{4-}$ anion, then it is an orthosilicate.
Hence the correct option is (A) $M_4(Si{O}_4)$ .

Note :
It must be noted that not all the silicates are orthosilicate, only those compounds in which the anion is $[Si{O}_4{]}^{4-}$ will be orthosilicate. We should know that orthosilicates are also known as silicon tetroxide anion.