Beyond Atomic Numbers - Every Element Has a Story
28.085
14
3
P Block
Metalloid
Silicon was first isolated by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1824. Its name comes from the Latin word "silex," meaning flint.
Silicon is the second most abundant element in Earth's crust after oxygen. It is commonly found in sand, quartz and rocks.
Group 14 | Period 3 | P Block | Metalloid
Silicon is used in computer chips, transistors, solar cells, glass manufacturing, ceramics and telecommunications equipment.
Oxygen, Carbon, Aluminium and Germanium
Hydrofluoric acid can attack silicon and silicon dioxide effectively.
Electronic Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p²
Silicon possesses semiconductor properties, allowing it to control electrical currents precisely.
The region known as Silicon Valley in California was named after the importance of silicon in the electronics industry.
Nearly every computer processor and memory chip contains highly purified silicon. Modern computing would not exist without it.
Most solar panels use crystalline silicon to convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Scientists are developing nanoscale silicon devices, quantum computing components and advanced semiconductor technologies.
Silicon is produced inside massive stars and is one of the major building materials of rocky planets throughout the universe.