Final answer:
option b,The most common form of crystalline silica is quartz, a versatile material used in jewelry, glassmaking, and various technological applications due to its clarity, purity, and thermal stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common form of crystalline silica is quartz. Silicon dioxide, or silica, appears as both amorphous and crystalline structures; however, its predominant crystalline form is quartz, which is known for being a hard, brittle, and typically clear and colorless solid. Quartz is utilized in a variety of applications, including architectural ornamentation, the creation of semiprecious gemstones like amethyst, and the control of radio transmission frequencies.
Quartz becomes especially notable for its use in jewelry when its normally clear crystals contain trace amounts of Fe³⁻, which gives amethyst its characteristic purple color. Beyond the realm of crystals, silica is a key component in glassmaking, where it is used in its amorphous form to produce objects with high transparency and resistance to thermal shock, such as in various optical instruments and ceramic cookware like CorningWare.