Silicon dioxide is found mostly in which of the following?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

SSC CHSL Tier-I Exam 2022 Official Paper (Held On: 13 March, 2023 Shift 3)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Sand.

Key Points

Sand:
- Sand is primarily made of tiny granules of quartz, which is essentially silicon dioxide (SiO2).
- Silicon dioxide is a chemical compound that is an oxide of silicon.
- It is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust.
- Apart from sand, silicon dioxide is also found in quartzite, amethyst, agate, and other minerals.
- Due to its hardness and resistance to weathering, it forms the majority component of sand.

Additional Information

Sugar:
- Sugar is a sweet crystalline substance obtained from various plants, especially sugarcane and sugar beet.
- Its chemical formula is C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁, which is quite different from silicon dioxide.
Salt:
- Salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is a mineral composed primarily of sodium and chlorine.
- It is different from silicon dioxide both in its chemical structure and physical properties.
Slaked Lime:
- Slaked lime, or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), is produced when quicklime (calcium oxide, CaO) is mixed, or 'slaked', with water (H2O).