14Si28.085
Silicon
MetalloidsIn-between elements with some metal and some non-metal properties. Many are semiconductors.
[Ne] 3s² 3p²
- Atomic number
- 14
- Atomic mass
- 28.085
- Protons
- 14
- Neutrons
- 14 (most common)
- Electrons
- 14
- Shells
- 2, 8, 4
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Group 14, period 3
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byJöns Jacob Berzelius, 1824Jöns Jacob Berzelius: 4 elements
Berzelius isolated silicon by heating a silicon compound with potassium.
Did you know?
- Silicon Valley in California is named after it.
- Ordinary glass is mostly silicon dioxide.
Where it's found
- Sand and quartz
- Most rocks: it is the second most common element in Earth's crust
What it's used for
- Computer chips
- Solar panels
- Glass
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Silicon. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.