Elements in the Real World

The periodic table is not just an academic curiosity — its elements are the building blocks of every technology, medicine, and material that shapes our daily lives. This lesson explores how elements are applied across technology, medicine, industry, and the environment, and highlights some famous discoveries along the way.

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Elements in Technology

Silicon — The Heart of the Digital Age

Silicon (Si, Z = 14) is the foundation of the entire electronics industry. Every smartphone, laptop, server, and digital device relies on silicon-based semiconductor chips.

• Microprocessors — Intel, AMD, Apple, and other chip manufacturers fabricate transistors on ultra-pure silicon wafers
• A modern processor may contain over 50 billion transistors, each just a few nanometres wide
• Silicon solar cells convert sunlight into electricity — photovoltaic panels are the fastest-growing energy source globally
• Silicon carbide (SiC) is used in high-power electronics for electric vehicles and industrial motors

Lithium — Powering the Portable World

Lithium (Li, Z = 3) is the lightest metal, and its electrochemical properties make it ideal for rechargeable batteries.