vano
National Hazard
Posts: 661
Registered: 22-3-2019
Location: Georgia
Member Is Offline
|
|
How hard it is to crack silicon?
If anyone has a silicon crystal and you break it tell me how easy or difficult it is.
|
|
Amos
International Hazard
Posts: 1406
Registered: 25-3-2014
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
Mood: No
|
|
I've got several crystal chunks about 7-15 grams each, and they're less tough in every way than quartz. The sharp edges grind smooth when rubbed
against glass without scratching it, if you want an idea of hardness. Breaking them with a hammer is pretty trivial, a few good taps and you're there.
Kind of like a piece of good-quality limestone.
|
|
vano
National Hazard
Posts: 661
Registered: 22-3-2019
Location: Georgia
Member Is Offline
|
|
I have never had an element of silicon, only its compounds. Today I saw a jar with "Unknown metal" written on it, I was given a few pieces, they do
not dissolve in concentrated acids and breaks quite easily. Also looks like silicon.
|
|
Sulaiman
International Hazard
Posts: 3658
Registered: 8-2-2015
Location: 3rd rock from the sun
Member Is Offline
|
|
Bare 4" monocrystaline solar cells are very thin
and very easy to crack
CAUTION : Hobby Chemist, not Professional or even Amateur
|
|
Texium
Administrator
Posts: 4554
Registered: 11-1-2014
Location: Salt Lake City
Member Is Offline
Mood: PhD candidate!
|
|
Measure the density of it by water displacement. That will give you some quantitative data, and easily distinguish whether it’s silicon or
germanium, as they look similar but differ greatly in density.
|
|
Amos
International Hazard
Posts: 1406
Registered: 25-3-2014
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
Mood: No
|
|
Yes, check the density and you might also see if it responds to heating from a blowtorch, such as any kind of wrinkling or discoloring.
|
|
unionised
International Hazard
Posts: 5115
Registered: 1-11-2003
Location: UK
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by Amos | ... you might also see if it responds to heating from a blowtorch, such as any kind of wrinkling or discoloring. |
If your "unknown metal" turns out to be arsenic, you are in trouble.
|
|
Amos
International Hazard
Posts: 1406
Registered: 25-3-2014
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
Mood: No
|
|
You only live once!
But in all honesty, the OP would've already noticed some amount of surface oxidation or odor if they've already tried heating in concentrated acids
and bases.
|
|