Question

The main chemical constituent of clay is:

• A. Silicon oxide
• B. Aluminium borosilicate
• C. Zeolites
• D. Aluminium silicate

Hint:

Clay is mainly a hydrated aluminosilicate mineral called kaolinite.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Recall what clay is made of.
Clay is a natural material formed by weathering of rocks containing feldspar and other aluminosilicate minerals. Its main chemical component is hydrated aluminium silicate, commonly written as \(Al_2Si_2O_5(OH)_4\), also known as kaolinite.

Step 2: Match with the options.
Option D, Aluminium silicate, matches this composition directly.

Why the others are wrong: Silicon oxide (option A) is silica, the main constituent of sand and quartz, not clay. Aluminium borosilicate (option B) is a glass making material, not a natural clay mineral. Zeolites (option C) are porous aluminosilicates used for water softening and as catalysts, they are a different class of mineral from ordinary clay.