silica

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablechemistrytechnical

   A hard, colorless compound of silicon and oxygen that occurs naturally as quartz and sand and is used to make glass.

   Grammar: Uncountable: silica is common; do not say a silica or silicas.

   Patterns

   • made of silica
   • silica in something

   Sand is mostly made of silica.

   Glassmakers heat silica with soda and lime.

   Breathing silica dust over many years can damage the lungs.

2. 2noununcountable

   Small packets of this substance used to absorb moisture and keep products dry during storage and shipping.

   Grammar: Often appears as silica gel: a packet of silica gel.

   Patterns

   • packets of silica
   • silica gel

   The shoebox contained a small packet of silica.

   Silica keeps cameras dry inside the case.

   Do not eat the silica sachet that comes with food.

Common combinations

silica gel

Put silica gel in the toolbox to stop rust.

silica sand

Silica sand is used in glassmaking.

silica dust

Silica dust is dangerous for builders.

fused silica

Fused silica lenses withstand extreme heat.

crystalline silica

Crystalline silica is a health risk.

Synonyms and how they differ

silicon dioxide

Silicon dioxide is the chemical name and is used in science writing, while silica is the shorter everyday term.

quartz

Quartz is one crystal form of silica, so it is narrower than silica.

sand

Sand is a loose grainy material mostly made of silica, but sand includes other minerals.

SiO2

SiO2 is the formula and is used in chemistry notes, not in everyday speech.

Word family

silicon noun

the chemical element used in electronics

silicone noun

a rubbery synthetic material

silicate noun

a mineral compound containing silicon

siliceous adjective

containing silica

Commonly confused: silica or silicon? silica or silicone?

Practice

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