
Silicon element (Si) is in group 14 and period 3 of a periodic table. Silicon is in the p-block and it is classified as a metalloid on the periodic table.
There is a lot more information related to silicon which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.
So let’s dive right into it!
Table of contents
- Silicon element (Information Table)
- Silicon element in Periodic table
- Facts about Silicon
- Properties of Silicon
- Uses of Silicon
Silicon Element (Information Table)
The important data related to silicon element is given in the table below.
Appearance of silicon | Reflective solid with bluish-tinged surface |
Atomic number of silicon | 14 |
Symbol of silicon | Si |
Atomic mass of silicon | 28.085 u |
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in silicon | Protons: 14, Neutrons: 14, Electrons: 14 |
State of silicon (at STP) | Solid |
Group number of silicon in periodic table | 14 |
Period number of silicon in periodic table | 3 |
Block of silicon in periodic table | p-block |
Category of silicon | Metalloids |
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in silicon | 2, 8, 4 |
Electron configuration of silicon | [Ne] 3s2 3p2 |
Orbital diagram of silicon | ![]() |
Valence electrons in silicon | 4 |
Electronegativity of silicon (on pauling scale) | 1.9 |
Atomic radius of silicon (van der Waals radius) | 210 picometers |
Density of silicon | 2.33 g/cm3 |
1st ionization energy of silicon | 8.152 eV |
Main isotope of silicon | 28Si |
Melting point of silicon | 1687 K or 1414 °C or 2577 °F |
Boiling point of silicon | 3538 K or 3265 °C or 5909 °F |
Crystal structure of silicon | Diamond cubic |
Discovery of silicon | By Jons Jacob Berzelius in 1823 |
Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).
Silicon element in Periodic table
The Silicon element (Si) has the atomic number 14 and is located in group 14 and period 3. Silicon is a metalloid and it is classified as a carbon group element.
H | He | ||||||||||||||||
Li | Be | B | C | N | O | F | Ne | ||||||||||
Na | Mg | Al | Si | P | S | Cl | Ar | ||||||||||
K | Ca | Sc | Ti | V | Cr | Mn | Fe | Co | Ni | Cu | Zn | Ga | Ge | As | Se | Br | Kr |
Rb | Sr | Y | Zr | Nb | Mo | Tc | Ru | Rh | Pd | Ag | Cd | In | Sn | Sb | Te | I | Xe |
Cs | Ba | La* | Hf | Ta | W | Re | Os | Ir | Pt | Au | Hg | Tl | Pb | Bi | Po | At | Rn |
Fr | Ra | Ac** | Rf | Db | Sg | Bh | Hs | Mt | Ds | Rg | Cn | Nh | Fl | Mc | Lv | Ts | Og |
*Ce | Pr | Nd | Pm | Sm | Eu | Gd | Tb | Dy | Ho | Er | Tm | Yb | Lu | ||||
**Th | Pa | U | Np | Pu | Am | Cm | Bk | Cf | Es | Fm | Md | No | Lr |
Facts about silicon
Here are a few interesting facts about silicon element.
- Silicon is the 2nd most abundant element present in the earth’s crust. The first is oxygen.
- Silicon is found from the earth’s crust as a compound with other elements.
- Most of the compounds present in the earth’s crust contain silicon in it. Because of this reason, 27% of the earth’s crust is silicon.
- Silicon is also present in the meteorites.
- Silicon is a semiconductor and its electrical conductivity increases with the increase in temperature.
- Silicon also helps in strengthening the plant cell wall.
- Silicosis is a disease that occurs by inhaling silicon dust.
Properties of silicon
Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of silicon.
Physical properties of silicon
- Silicon is a solid metalloid having a shiny bluish-tinged surface.
- Silicon carbide (SiC) is a very hard material and its hardness is near to the hardness of diamond.
- Liquid silicon has higher density than solid silicon.
- The melting point and boiling point of silicon is 1414 °C and 3265 °C respectively.
- Out of all the isotopes of silicon, the stable isotope is 28Si.
Chemical properties of silicon
- Silicon is a metalloid and hence its properties are similar to that of metals as well as nonmetals.
- Silicon is a metalloid and it can form compounds with metals as well as nonmetals.
- Silicon reacts with strong alkalis and forms silicates. During this reaction, the hydrogen gas is liberated.
Uses of silicon
Here are some uses of the silicon element.
- Because of the semiconducting properties of silicon, it is widely used in making solar cells, computer chips, and many other electronic devices.
- Silicon is used in making transistors and these transistors are used in many electronic devices from radio to iphones.
- Ceramics, glass and bricks contain silicon in it.
- Steel manufacturing plants also use silicon.
- Silicon carbide is very hard material and it is used in abrasives as well as cutting tools.
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