| − | Glass is produced industrially by heating a mixture of calcium carbonate (limestone), silicon dioxide (commonly known as sand) and sodium carbonate (soda) until it melts. The subsequent product, once cooled, is glass. | + | Glass is produced industrially by melting a mixture of calcium carbonate (limestone), sodium carbonate (soda), and silicon dioxide, which is a major component of sand. Quartz sand, which is rich in silicon dioxide, is the most commonly used type of sand. The subsequent product, once cooled, is glass. |