Chemical reactions
Chemical formula: R2SiO
Names: Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Silicate, Silicium, Silica Hydride, Silicio, Silicium de Sodium etc. Interesting properties: The atomic weight is 28 and it is a solid. Oxygen (47.3%) and silicon (27.7%) together make up 75% of the weight of the Earth’s crust. Most of the crust’s silicon exists as silicon dioxide; we are familiar with this as sand or quartz, Silicon is not known to be toxic, but if breathed in as a fine dust it may cause chronic respiratory problems, silicon is also the second most abundant element in our planet’s crust. Uses: Silicon is used in sand, construction materials, computer chips, glass, skeletal system, it is also important in plant and animal life, it toughens steel, can enhance iron magnetic properties, condoms, often used in cookware, used in high-precision watches and clocks, alloys etc. Uses of two compounds: One compound, silicon dioxide (sand) is used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, in water filtration systems, in cosmetics, manufacture of paper, rubber etc. Another important compound is silicon carbide (SiC). Silicon carbide is also known as carborundum, it is one of the hardest substances known, with a hardness of about 9.5 on the Mohs scale. Silicon carbide is widely used as an abrasive, a powdery material used to grind or polish other materials. |