Silicon
Silicon (Si)
Silicon (pronounced /ˈsɪlɪkən/ or /ˈsɪlɪkoʊn/) is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. It is a hard, brittle crystalline solid with a blue-grey metallic lustre, and is a tetravalent metalloid and semiconductor.
Etymology
The word silicon originates from the Latin word silex or silicis, meaning flint or hard stone. It was first identified by Jöns Jacob Berzelius, a Swedish chemist, in 1824.
Medical Uses
Silicon is an essential element for the human body and is present in various amounts in different tissues. It plays a crucial role in the formation and health of connective tissues, bones, skin, and hair. Silicon supplements are often recommended for improving skin, hair, and nail health.
Related Terms
- Silicon dioxide: Also known as silica, it is a natural compound made of two of the earth’s most abundant materials: silicon (Si) and oxygen (O2).
- Silicones: A type of synthetic polymers that include any inert, synthetic compound made up of repeating units of siloxane.
- Silicosis: A form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Silicon
- Wikipedia's article - Silicon
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