POLISHED SILICON

Silicon is a chemical element with symbol Si and atomic number 14. It makes up about 28% of the Earth's crust by mass and is the second most abundant element. It does not occur uncombined in nature but occurs chiefly as the oxide (silica) and as silicate minerals, these minerals account for 90% of the Earth's crust. Elemental silicon is produced commercially by reducing sand with carbon in an electric furnace.