This may be surprising, but silicon and silica gel are two very different things.

In short, silicon is a naturally occurring chemical element, while silicone resin is a synthetic substance.

Silicon is the 14th element on the periodic table. It is a metalloid, which means that it has the characteristics of metal and non-metal, and is the second largest element in the earth's crust after oxygen.

Silicon is easily combined with oxygen and rarely exists in pure form in nature. You may have thought of silicon as silicon dioxide or silicon dioxide, the more widely known name is quartz, which is the most common ingredient in sand.

Silica also has other mineral forms such as flint, jasper, and opal. When silicon and oxygen are mixed with active metals, a class of minerals called silicates is formed, which includes granite, feldspar, and mica.

Silicon has many industrial uses: As silicon dioxide, silicon is a key component of bricks, concrete, and glass. This element is used in the manufacture of enamel, pottery and ceramics in its silicate form.

Elemental silicon is a major player in modern electronic products because it is an ideal electrical semiconductor. When heated to a molten state, silicon can form semiconductor wafers that serve as the basis for integrated circuits (microchips).

In fact, Silicon Valley in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area is named for its highly concentrated computer and electronics companies producing silicon-based semiconductors and chips.

In contrast, silicone is a synthetic polymer composed of silicon, oxygen, and other elements (most typically carbon and hydrogen). Silica gel is usually a liquid or soft rubber-like plastic with many useful properties, such as low toxicity and high heat resistance. It also provides good electrical insulation. 

In the medical field, silicone can be used for implants, catheters, contact lenses, bandages and various other items. You can also find silicones in many personal care products, including shampoos, shaving creams, personal lubricants and sex toys.

Due to its high heat resistance, silicone constitutes many kitchen utensils, such as oven gloves, tongs and pot handles; the non-stick properties of silicone also make it useful for coating cookware. In addition, the heat resistance and smoothness of the material make it an ideal lubricant for automotive parts (as a lubricating spray or grease).

In other industries, silicone is often used as a sealant for waterproof containers (such as aquariums) and pipes.

Moreover, like silicon, silicon is also very important in electronic products-it is used to make housings to protect sensitive devices from electric shocks and other hazards.

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