1. Distinguish between 1:1, 2:1, and 2:1:1 layer silicates by drawing a diagram of their structures. Explain how layer charge influences the following layer silicate properties:

Interlayer bonds

Shrink swell

Surface area

Exchangeability of adsorbed cations

2. Describe some important characteristics of poorly crystalline aluminosilicates.

3. Based on the following full unit cell formula formulas determine if the mineral is di-octahedral or tri-octahedral (where X is the charge on the unit cell):

X1(Al₃Mg)(Si₈)O₂₀(OH)₄

X0(Mg₆)(Si₈)O₂₀(OH)₄

X1(Mg₂Fe₄)(Si₇Al)O₂₀(OH)₄

X0(Al₄)(Si₈)O₂₀(OH)₄