Most applications of silicon use silicate minerals. Silicon is used in a variety of applications and materials. The element is also found in gems including opals, agates, and amethysts. Other important silicon minerals and rocks include granite, talc, diorite, mica, clay, and asbestos. Silica takes on different forms including sand, flint, and quartz. One common compound is silicon dioxide (SiO 2), which is more commonly known as silica. These minerals account for 90% of the Earth's crust. It is generally not found on Earth in its free form, but is usually found in silicate minerals. Silicon makes up about 28% of the Earth's crust. At the same time, it is a relatively inert element and does not react with oxygen or water in its solid form. With its four valence electrons, silicon can form covalent or ionic bonds either donating or sharing its four shell electrons. This property makes silicon a valuable element in electronics. Its conductivity increases with temperature. Silicon is considered a semiconductor, meaning that it has electronic conductivity between that of an insulator and a conductor. In its crystalline form it is a silvery-gray metallic looking material that is brittle and strong. In its amorphous (random) form it looks like a brown powder. Under standard conditions silicon is a solid. Silicon atoms have 14 electrons and 14 protons with 4 valence electrons in the outer shell. Silicon is the eighth most abundant element in the universe and the second most abundant in the Earth's crust after oxygen. It is classified as a member of the metalloids. Silicon is the second element in the fourteenth column of the period table. Discovered by: Jons Jakob Berzelius in 1824.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |