Question map
Talc contains which of the following?
Explanation
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral known as the world's softest mineral [t1]. Chemically, it is a hydrous magnesium silicate with the chemical formula Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 [t1, t2]. This formula indicates that the primary constituent elements of talc are magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O), along with hydrogen (H) in the form of hydroxyl groups [t1, t6]. Structurally, talc consists of an elementary sheet composed of a layer of magnesium-oxygen/hydroxyl octahedra sandwiched between two layers of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra [t1]. While natural talc deposits may contain associated minerals like chlorite, magnesite, or dolomite, the pure mineral itself is defined by its magnesium, silicon, and oxygen content [t1, t4]. Therefore, among the given options, magnesium, silicon, and oxygen correctly identify the elements found in talc.