Chemical Elements History and Information Silicon

About the chemical element Silicon, its symbol, atomic number and weight, who discovered it and when.

The Atomic Elements and Their Uses

(Element) (Symbol) (Atomic number) (Atomic weight)

Silicon Si 14 28.0855

Discovered by Jons Berzelius of Sweden in 1824. Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust. Aquamarines, beryls, zircons,garnets, opals, and emeralds are produced from silicon dioxide (SiO2) with traces of impurities. Breathing silicon dusts can lead to silicosis of the lungs. This is an occupational hazard for glass polishers, steel workers, miners, and marble cutters. Silicon dioxide as quartz has a very interesting characteristic: If it is abruptly distorted or struck, it produces a rapid voltage change called piezoelectricity. Because of this characteristic, it is used in phonograph cartridges. The crystals used in CB and other transmitters are silicon dioxide.

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