SILICON::ELEMENT

ELEMENT::DATA

14

Si

28.0855

DESIGNATION:

SILICON

DISCOVERY:

1824 BY JÖNS JACOB BERZELIUS

CLASSIFICATION:

METALLOID // GROUP 14 // PERIOD 3

ABUNDANCE:

SECOND MOST ABUNDANT ELEMENT IN EARTH'S CRUST

Element Information

> INITIALIZING SILICON DATABASE... > LOADING ELEMENT PROPERTIES... > SILICON (Si) > ATOMIC NUMBER: 14 > ATOMIC MASS: 28.0855 u > ELECTRON CONFIGURATION: [Ne] 3s² 3p² > OXIDATION STATES: -4, +2, +4 > ELECTRONEGATIVITY: 1.90 (PAULING SCALE) > DENSITY: 2.33 g/cm³ > PRIMARY USE: SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTION > SILICON VALLEY NAMED AFTER THIS ELEMENT > DATABASE LOADED

Silicon is a critical element in modern technology, serving as the foundation for the semiconductor industry and solar energy technologies. Its unique properties as a metalloid make it ideal for electronic applications, where precise control of electrical conductivity is essential. Although abundant in nature (primarily as silicon dioxide in various forms), pure silicon requires significant processing for technological applications.

First isolated in 1824 by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius, silicon remained primarily of academic interest until the development of semiconductor technology in the mid-20th century. The invention of the silicon-based transistor at Bell Labs in 1947 revolutionized electronics, leading to the development of integrated circuits and eventually to the modern computer age.

אבגדה

PHYSICAL::PROPERTIES

MELTING POINT

1414°C (2577°F)

BOILING POINT

3265°C (5909°F)

DENSITY

2.33 g/cm³

CRYSTAL STRUCTURE

Diamond Cubic

APPEARANCE

Dark Gray with Bluish Tinge

HARDNESS

7 (Mohs Scale)

SOLUBILITY

Insoluble in Water

BAND GAP

1.12 eV

SILICON ATOM STRUCTURE

CLICK TO EXPAND

SILICON ATOM DATA

ELEMENT:

SILICON (Si)

ATOMIC NUMBER:

14

ATOMIC MASS:

28.0855 u

CATEGORY:

METALLOID

NUCLEUS

PROTONS:

14

NEUTRONS:

14

ISOTOPE:

Si-28 (92.2% NATURAL ABUNDANCE)

ELECTRON CONFIGURATION

NOTATION:

[Ne] 3s² 3p²

SHELL 1 (K):

2 ELECTRONS

SHELL 2 (L):

8 ELECTRONS

SHELL 3 (M):

4 ELECTRONS

PROPERTIES

ELECTRONEGATIVITY:

1.90 (PAULING)

IONIZATION ENERGY:

8.15 eV

ATOMIC RADIUS:

111 pm

CRYSTAL STRUCTURE:

DIAMOND CUBIC

SILICON SOLAR CELL

TECHNOLOGY::APPLICATIONS

Silicon revolutionized technology through its use in semiconductors and solar panels. Its unique semiconductor properties enable precise control of electrical conductivity through doping, making it the foundation of modern electronics.

1824

Jöns Jacob Berzelius first isolates silicon by heating potassium fluorosilicate with potassium.

1954

The first practical silicon solar cell developed at Bell Laboratories by Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson achieves 6% efficiency.

1958

First integrated circuit developed by Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments, soon followed by silicon-based versions.

1971

Intel releases the first commercial microprocessor, the 4004, based on silicon technology.

2000s

Mass adoption of silicon photovoltaics begins as efficiency increases and costs decrease dramatically.

Silicon Applications

> ACCESSING APPLICATION DATABASE... > SILICON APPLICATIONS: > 1. MICROELECTRONICS: Microprocessors, memory chips, integrated circuits > 2. PHOTOVOLTAICS: Solar cells and panels for renewable energy > 3. OPTICAL FIBER: Telecommunications infrastructure > 4. SILICONES: Waterproof sealants, lubricants, medical implants > 5. STRUCTURAL MATERIALS: Construction (concrete, ceramics, glass) > 6. LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: Anodes for improved performance > 7. QUANTUM COMPUTING: Research in silicon quantum dots > WARNING: OVER 95% OF MODERN ELECTRONIC DEVICES DEPEND ON SILICON > STRATEGIC MATERIAL: ESSENTIAL FOR TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY

ENVIRONMENTAL::IMPACT

Silicon-based solar panel production has significant environmental considerations throughout its lifecycle. While the energy generation is clean, the manufacturing process requires careful environmental management.

EXTRACTION IMPACT

Silicon is derived from quartz (SiO₂), requiring mining operations that can lead to habitat destruction and water pollution if not properly managed.

Mining impact is relatively low compared to rare elements, due to silicon's abundance in Earth's crust.

MODERATE CONCERN

REFINING PROCESS

Purification to electronic-grade silicon (99.9999% pure) is energy-intensive, traditionally requiring temperatures above 1900°C.

The Siemens process generates silicon tetrachloride (SiCl₄), a harmful byproduct that can cause environmental damage.

HIGH CONCERN

MANUFACTURING

Production involves cutting silicon ingots into wafers with material loss (kerf loss) and using various chemicals including hydrofluoric acid.

Water usage is substantial, though many facilities implement recycling systems.

MODERATE-HIGH CONCERN

POSITIVE BENEFITS

Energy payback time has decreased to 1-4 years; panels generate clean energy for 25-30 years.

Newer manufacturing methods like fluidized bed reactors reduce energy consumption by up to 90%.

Recycling initiatives are developing to recover silicon from end-of-life panels.

HIGH BENEFIT

Environmental Analysis

> ANALYZING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SILICON SOLAR PANELS... > PROCESSING DATA... > LIFECYCLE ASSESSMENT RESULTS: > ENERGY RETURN ON INVESTMENT (EROI): 10-30x (LOCATION DEPENDENT) > CO2 EMISSIONS: 40-50g CO2/kWh (VS. 800-1000g CO2/kWh FOR COAL) > TOXICITY CONCERNS: PRESENT BUT MANAGEABLE WITH PROPER PROTOCOLS > WATER USAGE: 200-300 GALLONS PER MEGAWATT-HOUR PRODUCED > LAND USE: 5-10 ACRES PER MEGAWATT (VS. 5-15 ACRES FOR COAL POWER) > CONCLUSION: DESPITE MANUFACTURING IMPACTS, SILICON SOLAR PANELS REPRESENT > A SIGNIFICANT NET ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT COMPARED TO FOSSIL FUEL ALTERNATIVES > CONTINUOUS INNOVATION IS REDUCING IMPACTS FURTHER > RECOMMENDATION: CONTINUE DEPLOYMENT WHILE INVESTING IN CLEANER MANUFACTURING > AND END-OF-LIFE RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES