Why A Silica Powder Is Melting But Not Burnt When Heated?

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SUMMARY

Silica powder, or silicon dioxide, does not burn when heated due to its chemical composition. Unlike organic materials that undergo combustion, silica is a stable compound formed from silicon and oxygen, which prevents it from burning in the same manner as carbon-based substances. The discussion highlights the distinction between the melting of silica and the burning of organic materials, such as bread, which results from carbohydrate decomposition.

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Why a silica powder is melting but not burnt when heated?

Thank you
 
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Silica (silicon dioxide) is "burnt" silicon. You cannot burn it for the same reason you cannot burn carbon dioxide.
 
mfb said:
Silica (silicon dioxide) is "burnt" silicon. You cannot burn it for the same reason you cannot burn carbon dioxide.

What I meant as a burnt is such as the below image:

burnt bread
 
That is probably the result of a reaction between bread and oxygen.
Silica is the result of a reaction between silicon and oxygen. It does not look black, but it is similar to a burnt bread.
 
Actually burnt bread is more like effect of the carbohydrates decomposition - water leaves molecules, leaving mostly pure carbon. Silica is not similar to carbohydrates.
 

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