What is silicon?
Silicon (in French) or Silicon (in English) is one of the elements of the periodic table that is in the metalloid group. Its abbreviation is Si and it is the eighth most abundant element on Earth. Silicon is a crystalline solid that has a silvery-blue color and a metallic luster. In English, it is called silicon and in French, it is called silicium. The applications of this element are so extensive and important that one of the most important places in the world in the field of technology is named Silicon Valley. Of course, in everyday life, you certainly know that construction and decorative glass, decorative crystals, and glassware are made of silica. These two examples show how extensive and extensive the applications of silicon are.
Now, if silicon is combined with oxygen and forms silicon oxide, a new substance is obtained that has even more uses and consumption than silicon itself. Silicon is usually difficult to find in nature and usually exists in the form of silicon oxide. The chemical symbol for silicon oxide is SiO₂ and it is known as silica or silica.
So we know that silica (silica, silicon oxide) is a different substance from silicon (silicon) and silica is actually rust or silicon oxide.
As we said, silicon is the eighth most abundant element on Earth by mass, but due to its wide distribution and spread in the form of silicate and silicon oxide, it is the second most abundant element on Earth after oxygen in terms of availability.
Silicon is rarely found in the Earth’s crust in its pure form, and even in the form of pure silica, it is very rare, and generally the purest type of silicon found in nature is about 96% silicon and the rest is other metal oxide compounds. Silicon is mainly present in the Earth’s crust in the form of complex silicates, and the required silicon is obtained from these silicates and silica.