Chapter 2 Summary

      Chapter 2 of the Disappearing Spoon first begins by referencing the use of extremely long words in chemistry (Long words have since come to a halt after peoples hands began falling off due to excessive writing). One particular word is associated with silicon. Silicon is one of the most abundant elements in the world. Silicon dioxide is even the most abundant  mineral on earth's crust due to the activity of volcanoes where it is derived from. Carbon is, however, our best element for life.  Silicon can't produce the rich forms of life that carbon does, even though it is found in some living creatures like sea urchins. Carbon builds the amino acids found in proteins and bonds that form with carbon are steady. Although carbon is in the same group as silicon, there are many differences between the two elements. 

     Although we can't use silicon for our life, it has played a prominent role in the world of technology. Silicon was the first element that William Shockley, the man who did not deserve a noble peace prize. Silicon (as well as germanium) were used for circuits during the tyranny of numbers in which Kilby developed the integrated circuits. Silicon and germanium are also in the same group on the periodic table showing that although they are similar to one another, their chemical and physical appearances can be different. There are many elements which play no role in the world and are not recognizable to anyone. The elements, however, are linked and show the similarities which is how the periodic table came to be. Kean's chapter is emphasizing that although the groups are similar, there are many differences between the elements.