Final answer:
Silica gel can absorb up to 40% of its own weight in moisture, making it an effective desiccant for controlling humidity in various applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the absorbing capacity of silica gel relative to its own weight. To answer, silica gel will hold up to 40% of its own weight in moisture. This means that if you have 100 grams of silica gel, it could potentially absorb up to 40 grams of water. This property makes silica gel an excellent desiccant, a substance that is used to absorb and hold moisture.
Because of its high capacity for absorbing moisture, silica gel is commonly found in products where keeping moisture levels to a minimum is essential, such as in packaging electronic components or in leather products to prevent mold. Regarding the reference information provided which is about the skeletal mass turnover in adults and the displacement of water by ice these examples illustrate other scientific facts but do not directly relate to the absorbing capacity of silica gel.