For manufacturing of glass, which among the following is used as a source of silica ?

Glass is an amorphous (non-crystalline) solid primarily composed of silica (silicon dioxide, SiO₂). The most common and primary source of silica used in the industrial manufacturing of glass is sand, specifically high-purity quartz sand.

• Silica (Sand): It acts as the fundamental glass-forming oxide, providing the structural framework of the glass.
• Manufacturing Process: In the glass-making process, sand is melted at extremely high temperatures (around 1,700°C). To lower this melting point and improve workability, other substances like soda ash (sodium carbonate) and limestone (calcium carbonate) are typically added.
• Other Options: While fine clay soil contains silica, it also contains high levels of alumina and iron impurities. Wood powder and coconut shells are organic materials and do not serve as sources of the mineral silica required for glass production.