Chapter 13: Problem 20

From a molecular perspective, briefly explain the mechanism by which clay minerals become hydroplastic when water is added.

Short Answer

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Answer: The molecular mechanism behind the hydroplasticity of clay minerals involves the attraction of water molecules to the charged surfaces of clay layers, where they form ordered layers of hydration. This leads to the weakening of attractive forces holding the clay layers together, allowing them to slide past one another, which results in the clay exhibiting plastic behavior.

Step by step solution

Understanding the molecular structure of clay minerals

Clay minerals are hydrous aluminosilicates composed of tetrahedral and octahedral layers arranged in a repeating pattern. These layers are held together by weak van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding, which allows for the intercalation of water molecules between them.

Identifying the role of water in clay minerals

When water is added to clay minerals, the water molecules are attracted to the layers by electrostatic, dipole-dipole, and hydrogen bonding. These water molecules surround the negatively charged surfaces of the layers, forming ordered layers of hydration.

Realizing the impact of water on the arrangement of clay layers

As more water molecules interact with the clay layers, the attractive forces between the layers are progressively weakened. The presence of ordered layers of hydration between the layers facilitates their ability to slide past one another with a low resistance.

Understanding hydroplasticity in clay

Hydroplasticity is defined as the property wherein clay materials display plastic behavior when water is added. In the presence of water molecules, as the clay layers are able to slide past each other easily, the overall consistency of the clay transforms into a plastic, moldable state. This behavior is a result of the water molecules weakening the forces between clay layers and allowing them to move relative to one another.

Connecting the molecular perspective with hydroplasticity

In summary, from a molecular perspective, the mechanism by which clay minerals become hydroplastic when water is added involves the attraction of water molecules to the charged surfaces of clay layers, where they form ordered layers of hydration. This leads to the weakening of attractive forces holding the clay layers together, and consequently, the clay layers are able to slide past one another, exhibiting plastic behavior.

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From a molecular perspective, briefly explain the mechanism by which clay minerals become hydroplastic when water is added.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding the molecular structure of clay minerals

Identifying the role of water in clay minerals

Realizing the impact of water on the arrangement of clay layers

Understanding hydroplasticity in clay

Connecting the molecular perspective with hydroplasticity

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