Question

Assertion (A): Free silica occurs in soil's quartz and opal.
Reason (R): Quartz consists of a continuous framework of silica tetrahedra.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
• B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
• C. (A) is true but (R) is false.
• D. (A) is false but (R) is true.

Hint:

Free silica is commonly found as quartz and opal; quartz has a strong tetrahedral SiO$_4$ network.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Quartz and opal are the main sources of free silica in soil. The crystalline structure of quartz is indeed composed of continuous SiO$_4$ tetrahedra, validating the reason.