Silicon Facts
Chemical Symbol Si
Atomic number 14
Atomic weight 28.085
Crystalline, reflective with bluish-tinged faces
Has no smell or taste
Silicon is a tetravalent metalloid
The word oxygen comes from the Latin word "silicis", meaning flints.
Silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust (about 28% by mass) after oxygen.
Over 90% of the Earth's crust is composed of silicate minerals.
Silicon is the eighth most common element in the universe by mass.
Silicon is not reactive with many substances.
Silicon never occurs as a free element. It is always mixed with an other element.
Quartz is the most commonly found silica mineral. Quartz is also known as rock crystal.
Silicon is a vert good insulator.
When mixed with oxygen, silicon forms silica which is usually found as sand.
Silicon is used to make silicon chips, glass, integrated circuits.