Sand is a surprisingly versatile material! Here are some common things made from sand:
- Glass – The most common item made from sand is glass. Sand is heated to very high temperatures to form glass products like windows, bottles, and containers.
- Concrete – Sand is a key ingredient in concrete, which is used in buildings, roads, bridges, and many other structures.
- Silicon Chips – Sand, specifically silica sand, is refined to produce silicon, which is used in making computer chips and other electronic components.
- Mortar – Sand mixed with water and lime is used to make mortar for construction, binding bricks or stones together.
- Sandpaper – Sand is sometimes ground down and used as abrasive material in sandpaper for polishing and smoothing surfaces.
- Hourglasses – The sand inside hourglasses is a fun and historical example of sand’s role in timekeeping.
- Castings – Sand is used in metal casting processes, where molten metal is poured into molds made from sand.
- Play Sand – Of course, sand is used in playgrounds and in sandboxes for children to play with.