Atomic number 14
Silicon
Metalloid
In the real world
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 28.085
- Group
- 14
- Period
- 3
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 1.90
- Common ox. states
- -4, +4
Properties
Electron configuration
[Ne] 3s² 3p²
- Ionization energy
- 786.5 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 134.1 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 1687.00 K (1413.8 °C)
- Boiling point
- 3538.00 K (3264.8 °C)
How dangerous is it?
1/5 · Low risk
The gray solid behind computer chips and solar cells is low hazard to hold. Only its fine dust, which can burn, deserves care.
- FlammableImmediate
A cloud of fine silicon dust can catch fire or even explode, the way many fine powders do; the solid chip will not. (as a fine dust, not the solid chip or wafer)
Dust from cutting or grinding is controlled with ventilation; the solid wafer is safe to handle.
How it bonds
Silicon sits below carbon in group 14 and forms 4 covalent bonds the same way - but Si–O bonds are stronger than Si–Si, so the chemistry of silicon on Earth is overwhelmingly silicates (SiO₂, glass, sand, rocks). The chip in your phone is a single crystal of bonded silicon atoms.
Where you meet it
- Periodic Quest challengeunlock card
