Silica Vs. Silicon: Main Differences And Uses For These Words

Words are used every time we communicate, either through writing or verbal communication. However, sometimes we make mistakes using the wrong word because they sound the same or have similar meanings. Understanding words before using them is very necessary for using the right words to communicate.

Inorganic chemistry frequently refers to “silicon” and “silica.” The word “silica” is a compound, whereas “silicon” is an element, which is the major distinction between the two. We use silica when talking about the oxide of silicon, while silicon is used when mentioning the element itself.

Regarding chemical terms, it is important to always use the right words as a slight mistake can mean something entirely different from what you are trying to communicate. In this article, we will help you understand the two words “silica” and “silicon.”

Definition Of The Word “Silica”

The word “silica” is also known as silicon dioxide; it is a silicon compound that may be found in quartz, flint, and sand. It is also used to manufacture glass. Silica is also referred to as the naturally occurring silicon dioxide found in tridymite, quartz, and cristobalite.

The word “silica” is an insoluble refractory material used to make abrasives, glass, and ceramics. It is a glassy, extremely hard substance in many materials, including quartz, sand, chalcedony, chert, and opal. Silica is most commonly utilized as a white powder and is primarily employed in producing water glass, abrasives, ceramics, and glass.

The word “silica” was first used in 1801; it was coined from the Latin word ‘silex,’ which translates to ‘flint or hard stone.’ Silica is a natural substance that can be found anywhere in the world; more than a quarter of the planet is composed of silica. The word “silica” is a compound produced from a mixture of oxygen and silicon atoms.

Definition Of The Word “Silicon”

Silicon is among the 97 components that make up our minerals. It is a chemical element with the atomic number 14 and the symbol ‘Si.’ “Silicon” refers to a crystalline, brittle solid element with a bluish-gray metallic sheen, a tetravalent metalloid, and a hard semiconductor.

The word “silicon” is a semiconductor because it is an excellent conductor of electricity and has numerous applications in the electronic sector. It is an element found in minerals and sand like granite and quartz. It is also used to produce parts for computers and electrical devices.

The word “silicon” refers to a brittle metalloid element that occurs primarily in quartz, clay, sand, feldspar, and granite and has two allotropic forms. The name “silicon” was coined from the Latin word ‘silicis’ or ‘silex,’ which means ‘hard stone’ or ‘flint.’ It was derived by a Scottish chemist called Thomson Thomas in 1863.

How To Correctly Use The Word “Silica” In A Sentence

To avoid misconceptions, we need to know how to use the word “silica” in a sentence. To do this, we shall examine the nature of the word. You must understand a word’s essence and meaning to use it appropriately. We speak of a word’s form while addressing its part of speech.

The word “silica” is a noun which means it is used to describe a thing or substance. We use the word “silica” in a sentence when referring to a synonym of silicon dioxide or the combination of oxygen and silicon atoms. It is mostly used in the chemical industry and is a chemical term that most scientists know.

The word “silica” is used when discussing substances used in the construction or production of ceramics or abrasives. It is also used when referring to a main component or substance used in producing glass and water glass. The word “silica” is also used when referring to the silicon compound rather than the element.

How To Correctly Use The Word “Silicon” In A Sentence

Most of us are familiar with many chemistry terms, especially the elements on the periodic table. Hence, you must not make spelling errors when writing. The word “silicon” is one that several people misspell by adding an e after the n because they have the same pronunciation.

However, the words “silicon” and “silicone” are two different things with different meanings. “Silicon” refers to a natural element, while “silicone” is an artificial product. We use the word “silicon” when referring to the 14th element on the periodic table.

We also use it when referring to a substance used in relation to solar energy and computer electronics. It is also used when describing a semiconductor with a bluish-gray metallic sheen. The word “silicon” is a noun which means it is used to describe a thing or element.

We also use the word “silicon” when describing an area in a country with many high-technology industries. The word “silicon” is spelled as ‘silicium’ in French, ‘silizium’ in German, ‘silicio’ in Italian, and ‘silício’ in Brazilian Portuguese.

Examples Of The Word “Silica” Used In Sentences

Having understood the meaning of a word and how to use it correctly, below are some illustrative examples of how the word “silica” is used.

• After the test, the teacher realized half of his students did not know what silica means, so he taught them a whole topic of what silica is and how it is used.
• Unexpected changes in the silicon concentration can also be hazardous in a basic Bessemer process because there should only be enough lime injected to neutralize the resulting silica and phosphoric acid.
• In silver and gold tests, red lead and litharge are employed as solvents for the silica or any other metallic oxides that may be present.
• Borax is often used as a household cleaning agent; it dissolves into a clear fluid and degrades several metallic oxides, including silica.
• The vivid blues required silica completely free of iron, derived from quartz calcined pebbles as opposed to regular sand, which only produces green frit.
• The ferric oxide found in regular cement serves primarily as a flux to aid in the clinker’s union of silica, lime, and alumina; its function in a cement setting is entirely incidental.
• Quartz crystals can easily be created artificially using various techniques, such as gelatinous silica or melting glass.
• The silica targets the calcium phosphate at the furnace’s temperature, creating silicate and liberating the phosphorus pentoxide, which is then attacked by the carbon and converted to phosphorus and carbon monoxide.

Examples Of The Word “Silicon” Used In Sentences

Below are some illustrative examples to further clarify how to use the word “silicon” in a sentence.

• Since the anhydrous acid eventually breaks down into hydrofluoric acid and silicon fluoride upon evaporation of the aqueous solution, it is unknown.
• The Carborundum Company of Niagara Falls uses an electric furnace to heat sand and coke to create relatively impure silicon.
• Magnesium and silicon alloys are created by heating magnesium fragments with potassium silico-fluoride and magnesium filings.
• After the exams, I realized the element I was desperately trying to remember when taking the exam was silicon, and I had written argon instead.
• Sand is quartz or silicon dioxide, a translucent, glass-like mineral that is chemically pure. However, sand is typically less pure and colored yellow or reddish by iron oxide when encountered.
• His investigations into the compounds of aluminum and silicon and his analysis of mineral fluids are just a few of the countless inorganic chemistry advances he made.

Final Thoughts

One of the most important parts of communication is using the right words. A slight mistake, especially in writing, will change the information you are trying to convey to others. More importantly, regarding chemical terms, you must never make a mistake by using the wrong word. Hence, we have explained the difference between “silica” and “silicon” and how to use them in a sentence properly.