Features

• In solid form, silicon dioxide is white and powdery with a density of 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter. It is composed of one atom of silicon and two atoms of oxygen. It mostly forms in nature as sand or quartz crystals, and it is renowned for its hardness. It is a mineral that is highly resistant to heat, with a melting point of 1650 degrees Celsius.
  
  

Types

• There are two basic types of silicon dioxide that are found in nature. The chemical makeup of these types is exactly the same, and the properties are generally the same, but because they were formed under different conditions, they are slightly different. The first type is granular silicon dioxide, which is commonly known as sand. The particles are very small, but still tough and hard. The other type is crystalline silicon dioxide. These are larger clumps of the mineral that are quartz crystal and are milky clear in color.
  
  

Function

• Silicon dioxide is used in a number of different ways. One of the most common uses is to make glass, which is superheated and pressurized silicon dioxide. It is also manufactured for use in toothpaste. Because of its hardness, it helps to scrub away plaque on teeth. It is also a major ingredient in cement and used as a pesticide. Silica gel is a food additive that helps absorb water and also as a tool to help extract DNA and RNA.
  
  

Warning

• While silicon dioxide is for the most part harmless, it does pose a risk when it is inhaled. This is because, in powder form, small particles of the mineral can lodge in the esophagus and the lungs. It does not dissolve over time, so certain conditions can occur. One such condition is called silicosis, which causes shortness of breath, fever, and coughing and causes the skin to turn blue. Other conditions include bronchitis and, rarely, cancer.
  
  

Geography

• Silicon dioxide is found just about everywhere in the world, as it is the most common mineral in the crust. On the surface of the earth, it is prevalent in rocky or mountainous regions. It is also present in the form of sand in the deserts and coasts of the world.