What makes a glass different from a solid such as quartz? Under what conditions could quartz be converted into glass?

Explanation

Glass is an amorphous form of silica `(SiO_(2))`, while quartx is the crystalline one. The structures of both glass and quartz are based on `SiO_(4)` tetrahedra. In glass, `SiO_(4)` tetrahedra are randomly linked to each other with shared oxygen atoms, giving a structure that does not possess long range order. As a result, glass does not have a definite shape and melting point.
In quartz, `SiO_(4)` tetrahedra are joined regularly to each other with shared oxygen atoms, giving a long range ordered structure. As a result, quartz possesses a definite shape and melting point.
When quartz is melted, it changes into a viscous liquid. If this liquid is cooled very rapidly, it converts into glass.