Discovering the Elements
Webquest
Silicon
Basic Facts
1.) ELEMENT NAME: SILICON
2.) ELEMENT SYMBOL: SI
3.) ATOMIC NUMBER: 14
4.) ATOMIC WEIGHT: 28.0855(3)R
Pictures
The above is a picture of silicon shown as an element.
Silicon is commonly found in both clay and steel.
Description of the Element
A. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:
1.) State of Matter at Room Temperature= Solid
2.) Melting point temperature=1410.0 °C
3.) Boiling point temperature=2355.0 °C
4.) Density=2.33 g·cm−3
5.) Color=metallic like, black and gray
6.) Texture= Rough and rocky
7.) Hardness=solid substance
8.) Malleability= silicon has poor malleability
9.) Ductility= silicon has low ductility and low strength
10.) Conductivity=
thermal conductivity: 149 J/m-sec-deg
electrical conductivity: 0.012 1/mohm-cm
B. Chemical Properties:
1.) Flammability= not flammable
2.) Photosensitivity=silicon is not a photosensitive element, it is
present in the sun and also found in stars
3.) Combustibility= silicon in lump material is not combustible
4.) Toxicity= silicon is toxic, when tested on mice the mice
developed acute tubular necrosis, solely from inhalation, they
proceeded to live for only two more weeks (disgusting and beyond
cruelty)
C. Discovery of the Element:
1.) Who discovered the element?
Jons Jacob Berzelius
2.) Where was it discovered?
Sweden
3.) What are the uses of the element?
Used to make many electronic devices such as solar cells and integrated circuits. Also
used to make bricks, and finally as a lubricant for silicon implants
4.) When was it discovered?
1824
5.) What are a few of the common uses or the historical uses of this element?
Used to make porcelain, glass, glazes, and cement
6.) List the way(s) in which the element appears naturally. How is it mined or
extracted from the ground?
Silicon is present in the sun and stars and is a principal component of a class of
meteorites known as aerolites. Silicon makes up 25.7% of the earth's crust. It is found
in sand, quartz, rock crystal, and amethyst. Silicon is found also in minerals.
7.) What are the main compounds formed by this element and the industrial uses of
these compounds?
Silicon dioxide and silicic acid they are both used in the production of glass.
8.) What are the main environmental concerns about this element? Are its
compounds causing pollution?
The environmental concerns that go along with silicon are whether or not the element
is getting into water. Silicon does cause pollution.
D. Fun Facts:
1.) Silicon is the eighth most common element in the universe
2.) Most abundant element in the universe
3.) It is used in microchips, computers mainly run on it (i.e. Intel
Processors)
4.) When you travel to the beach and look out upon all of that sand,
think, almost, if not all of it is silicon
5.) Atomic Radius (pm): 132
Created By: David Flynn and Angel Sardo; Period 2