HYDROSILICATE Meaning and
Definition
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A hydrosilicate refers to a type of chemical compound that is composed of silicon atoms bonded to oxygen atoms, along with the presence of water molecules. This compound is commonly found in various minerals and rocks, either in pure form or as part of a larger mineral structure. Hydrosilicates are primarily classified as silicates, which are compounds containing silicon and oxygen, but their distinctive characteristic is the inclusion of water.
Hydrosilicates exhibit a unique crystal structure, forming complex networks of silicon-oxygen tetrahedral units with the water molecules occupying spaces in between. This arrangement contributes to their physical and chemical properties such as low density, high melting point, and insolubility in water. These compounds are known for their resistance to chemical weathering and their ability to withstand high temperatures.
Due to their abundance in nature, hydrosilicates have significant industrial applications. They serve as crucial constituents of building materials, ceramics, and refractories due to their excellent thermal and mechanical properties. Additionally, they are utilized in the formulation of cements and as catalysts in chemical reactions. Hydrosilicates can also be found in certain types of clays, which are valued for their absorption and filtration properties in industries such as cosmetics and wastewater treatment.
In summary, hydrosilicates are inorganically formed compounds consisting of silicon and oxygen atoms, together with water molecules. These compounds possess specific crystal structures and are widely employed in numerous industrial sectors owing to their remarkable thermal and mechanical characteristics.
Common Misspellings for HYDROSILICATE
- gydrosilicate
- bydrosilicate
- nydrosilicate
- jydrosilicate
- uydrosilicate
- yydrosilicate
- htdrosilicate
- hgdrosilicate
- hhdrosilicate
- hudrosilicate
- h7drosilicate
- h6drosilicate
- hysrosilicate
- hyxrosilicate
- hycrosilicate
- hyfrosilicate
- hyrrosilicate
- hyerosilicate
- hydeosilicate
- hyddosilicate
Etymology of HYDROSILICATE
The word "hydrosilicate" originates from Greek and is derived from two key components: "hydro" and "silicate".
1. "Hydro": The prefix "hydro-" comes from the Greek word "hudṑr", meaning "water". This root indicates a relation to or presence of water.
2. "Silicate": The term "silicate" is derived from the Latin word "silex", which means "flintstone". It refers to any chemical compound containing silicon, oxygen, and other elements, ultimately forming significant portions of the Earth's crust.
Combining these two components, "hydrosilicate" indicates a compound or mineral containing silicon, oxygen, and water.
