Minerals with the silicon-oxygen structure shown in Figure 2-1 are classified into what group?

A. Sulfates

B. oxides

C. carbonates

D. silicates

Answer : Option D) Silicates.

Explanation : The minerals with the silicon-oxygen structures are classified as silicates.

As per the definition, A silicate is any member of a family which has anions consisting of silicon and oxygen, usually they have the general formula as [SiO].

It usually has a structure which has a central silicon ion which has a charge of (+4) while each oxygen has a charge of negative two (-2) and thus each silicon-oxygen bond is equal to one half (1/2) of the total bond energy of oxygen. Therefore, it confirms that the answer is Silicates.