Which term refers to clay particles that have been heated to high temperatures so that they resist breakdown into smaller particles?

Which term refers to clay particles that have been heated to high temperatures so that they resist breakdown into smaller particles?

• A. Calcined Clay
• B. Bentonite
• C. Kaolinite
• D. Montmorillonite

Answer: (A)

When clay is heated to high temperatures, water and bound hydroxyl groups are driven off, and the structure becomes more rigid. This heat-treated state makes the clay less prone to crumbling into smaller particles, producing a material described as calcined clay. The other options are names of natural clay minerals (bentonite, kaolinite, montmorillonite) that describe composition rather than the heat-altered state. So the best term for clay that has been heated to resist breakdown is calcined clay.

When clay is heated to high temperatures, water and bound hydroxyl groups are driven off, and the structure becomes more rigid. This heat-treated state makes the clay less prone to crumbling into smaller particles, producing a material described as calcined clay. The other options are names of natural clay minerals (bentonite, kaolinite, montmorillonite) that describe composition rather than the heat-altered state. So the best term for clay that has been heated to resist breakdown is calcined clay.