The key difference between silica and silicon dioxide is that the silica is the common name of SiO2 whereas silicon dioxide is the IUPAC name of SiO2. Moreover, silicon dioxide refers to the purest form only while silica can be either pure or impure form.
Both terms “silica” and “silicon dioxide” refers to the same chemical compound, but they are different in the usage of these terms. The term silica is a common name, and we use it mainly in the chemical industry while the term silicone dioxide is the chemical name of the same compound that we use, mostly in chemistry.
What is Silica?
Silica is the common name of SiO2. This is a major constituent on earth’s crust; the earth’s crust has around 59% this compound. This compound occurs in three main forms as quartz, tridymite and cristobalite. Moreover, silica is a mineral that occurs naturally in sandstones, clay and granite. It also occurs in various living organisms as well.
What is Silicon Dioxide?
Silicon dioxide is the IUPAC name of SiO2. This term explains that this compound is an oxide of silicon. We use this term to name the purest form of SiO2. It occurs in quartz and as components in living organisms. The molar mass is 60.08 g/mol. It appears as a transparent solid. The melting point and boiling points are 1,713 °C and 2,950 °C respectively.
