- #1
Loren Booda
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What is the relationship, if any other than homophony, between silicon and silicone?
What Links Silicon and Silicone Beyond Their Names?
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Discussion Overview
The discussion explores the relationship between silicon and silicone, focusing on their chemical structures, properties, and implications for life forms. It includes technical explanations and conceptual clarifications related to chemistry and materials science.
Discussion Character
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants describe silicone as a polymer with alternating Si and O bonds, with the potential for various side chains, such as methyl groups.
- Others argue that silicone does not necessarily require methyl groups, suggesting a broader range of possible side chains.
- One participant notes the valence of silicon and its comparison to carbon, indicating that silicon is less versatile and abundant, which may explain the absence of silicon-based life.
- Another participant challenges the claim about silicon's abundance, referencing geological notes that suggest silicon is more abundant than carbon on Earth.
- There is a correction regarding the abundance of silicon in the universe versus Earth, with a participant acknowledging a mix-up in their earlier statement.
- Humor is introduced in the discussion regarding the nature of silicon-based life, with a playful remark about their cleverness and slow movement.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the necessity of specific side chains in silicone, the abundance of silicon relative to carbon, and the implications for silicon-based life. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.
Contextual Notes
Participants reference various aspects of chemistry and geology, indicating potential limitations in their assumptions or definitions regarding the abundance and versatility of silicon and silicone.
- #2
HazZy
- 100
- 0
silicone is a polymer of alternating Si and O bonds.
- #3
radagast
- 483
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Don't forget the methyl group side chains.
monomer unit of [(CH3)2SiO]
- #4
HazZy
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well yeah of course, except it doesn't need to be methyl groups.
Last edited:
- #5
Another God
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
- 978
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LOL, yeah, 'of course'...because we all knew about them
- #6
HazZy
- 100
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it's clear when you look at the valence of silicon and what's sitting right above it in the periodic table 
. however it's not 1/10 as versatile or abundant as carbon, which is why we don't see silicon based life anywhere around here .
. however it's not 1/10 as versatile or abundant as carbon, which is why we don't see silicon based life anywhere around here .- #7
Chemicalsuperfreak
- 218
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Originally posted by HazZy
it's clear when you look at the valence of silicon and what's sitting right above it in the periodic table
It's clear by the valence that silicone needs a methyl or some other alkyl group? Wow, I didn't know that, and I'm an organic chemist. And I guess I should toss my geology notes, because they say silicon is a far more abundant element than carbon.
- #8
HazZy
- 100
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i was just saying that it's clear that silicone is not simply Si-O-Si-O..., which is what i said in the first reply. i never said "it's clear by the valence that silicone needs a methyl or some other alkyl group". please don't put words in my mouth...
and yeah silicon is more abundant in earth, but less abundant in the universe, i just got the two mixed up. which is just one of many reason silicon based life is not very likely in the universe. give me some slack, i wrote the last reply in math class...
- #9
radagast
- 483
- 1
Actually, you don't see them because they move slowly and are very clever.Originally posted by HazZy
it's clear when you look at the valence of silicon and what's sitting right above it in the periodic table
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