Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Silicon

Atomic number 14 means that every Silicon nucleus contains 14 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Silicon.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 14 means that every Silicon nucleus contains 14 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Silicon.

Silicon (Si) is chemical element 14. It belongs to the metalloids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in electronics, solar cells and special glasses.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 14 means that every Silicon nucleus contains 14 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Silicon.

Keep exploring

→ Silicon · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

14SiSilicon
Silicon · Si · Z = 14

Silicon (Si) is chemical element 14. It belongs to the metalloids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Silicon (Si) is chemical element 14. It belongs to the metalloids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in electronics, solar cells and special glasses.

What its position in the table tells us

Silicon sits in period 3, group 14 and the P block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.