Which of the following natural resources is NOT used in the manufacturing of glass?

The correct answer is that bauxite is not used in the manufacturing of glass. Glass is primarily made from a combination of silica sand, soda ash, and limestone. Silica sand serves as the primary component, providing the necessary silicon dioxide, which is the backbone of most glass types. Soda ash acts as a flux, lowering the melting point of silica, making it easier to form glass. Limestone is added to improve the durability and chemical stability of the final product.

Bauxite, on the other hand, is an ore from which aluminum is extracted, and it does not contribute any of the essential components required in the glass-making process. This highlights its distinct role in manufacturing compared to the other materials listed, which are crucial in creating glass.