Answer to Question #277232 in General Chemistry for kelechi

Question

In what ways has the invention of the silicon chip changed society?

Your job is:

• Research electronic and print media about the invention and history of microchips
• How microchips are manufactured? What are different types of microchips?
• Explain the uses of microchips
• What chemical element/compound is used in making of microchips? Identify the physical and chemical properties of the chemical compound.
• Discuss potential health risks associated with chemicals used in microchips 
• Conduct an inquiry and gather evidence on how microchips can have adverse effect on environment.
• Assess the impact of the invention of silicon chips on society
• Predict future uses of microchips.

Answer 1

1) In what ways has the invention of the silicon chip changed society?

Ans - Silicon chip brought a revolution in this world which changed everything that is from the way we live to the way we see the world. The society got many revolutionary things such as mobile phones, laptops, computers etc which gave birth to today's work, entertainment and livelihood. We can imagine it like this, the society before silicon chip was like it was on manual and after silicon chip it's like on automatic. Many inventions and automations have bestowed upon societies and lastly we got internet.

2) How microchips are manufactured? What are different types of microchips?

Ans - Microchips are manufactured in fabrication facilities and they are fabricated in a very very clean room. Microchips has up to 100 of layers printed interconnected patterns all aligned on top of each other with nanometer precision known as overlay on a silicon wafer. Now the different lithography systems are used for different layers of chips. During the manufacture the room's air quality and temperature are kept under controlled.

The types of microchips are

1. Logic chips - These are used as the controllers of electronic devices

2. Memory chips - These type of chips are used to store information.

3) Explain the uses of microchips.

Ans - Followings are the uses of microchips,

• Controlling electronic devices
• Storing huge amount of information and data.
• It can be used by biologists to track wild animals and learn about their migrations.
• Chips are used in automation and technologies for every thing.
• Chips are used vastly in health sector for doing all kind of researches and tests of human body.

4) What chemical element/compound is used in making of microchips? Identify the physical and chemical properties of the chemical compound.

Ans- Silicon is used in making of microchips

Chemical properties of silicon :

• Density - 2.33 g.cm^-3 at 20 degree Celsius
• Melting Point - 1410 degree Celsius
• Boiling Point - 3265 degree Celsius
• Isotopes - 5

Physical properties of silicon :

• Pure silicon is very hard, dark gray in color.
• It has Luster i.e.. a metallic shine
• It has two allotropic forms, a brown amorphous form, and a dark crystaline form.
• Soluble in hydrofluoric acid