Basic+Info+on+Silicon

Silicon Basic Info The element silicon has a atomic number of 14, meaning, has 14 protons. It also usually has 14 neutrons. It has a atomic mas of 28.10. Its chemical symbol is SI, the first two letters of silicon. Silicon is the second most abundant element on earth beaten only by oxegen and the seventh most abundent element in the universe. Silicons most common compound is silica (SiO2). it is a mix of oxegen and silicon that makes what we commonly know of as sand. The most common mistake that someone might make about silicon is the fact that it sounds much similar to the chemical compound silicone. It has a melting point of 1410 oC and a boiling point of 2355 oC. It is found with 2 electrons orbiting closest to the neutron, 8 orbiting a little farther out and 4 orbiting at the farthest distance. It is found in almost any rock. Two major compounds that have silicon in it are silica or silox (SiO2) and Silicate [SiF6]2−. Quartz, amethyst, agate,rock crystal, flint, opal and jasper, are some of the rocks in which silca appears. Granite, asbestos, hornblende, clay, feldspar, mica, are examples of Silicate minerals. Silicon is a metalloid. At room temperature it takes a blackish shiny color like in this picture.

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