What Is the Chemical Formula for Silicon Dioxide?
Silicon dioxide, commonly referred to as "silica," is a molecule consisting of two atoms of oxygen with one atom of silicon, described with the chemical formula SiO2.
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Abundance
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Silicon dioxide, one of the most abundant minerals on the surface of the Earth, is a principal constituent of sand.
Uses
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Silicon dioxide has many uses in industry but is especially important as a principal ingredient in glass manufacturing; it is also heavily utilized as an insulator in electronics.
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Physical Properties
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Silicon dioxide, a brittle, weak material, has a melting point of 1,728 degrees Celsius. It possesses low thermal conductivity and is therefore a natural thermal insulator.
Role in Biology
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Living organisms contain trace amounts of silica, and silicic acid is a normal component of urine. Diatoms, radiolarians, and some sponges leave skeletons composed of silica, which results in the creation of sedimentary rocks known as siliceous earth due to their high silica content.
Health Risks
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Prolonged exposure to crystalline silica may result in a respiratory illness known as silicosis. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, more than 250 people die each year from this incurable disease.
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References
- International Program on Chemical Safety. Silicon dioxide. 30 November 2009
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Silica, Crystalline. 22 September 2009. 30 November
- Stark, Brian. MEMS Reliability Assurance Guidelines for Space Applications. Pasadena, California: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1999.
