silicon v. silicone

Silicon, atomic number 14, is a semiconducting element used in electronics. After oxygen, it’s the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and under normal atmospheric conditions, it is a crystalline solid.

Silicone is a synthetic, non-stick, heat-resistant polymer, one of whose ingredients is silicon. It can be a liquid or a rubbery solid. Silicone is used in lubricants, cookware, sealants, and breast implants, to name a few applications.

wiseGEEK on silicon v. silicone