Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 2.00 — strongly supporting 3 facts
Silicon and water are related because water acts as a reactive agent that disrupts silicon-based compounds [1] and causes the decomposition of silanes [2]. Furthermore, water is a critical environmental factor that renders elemental silicon unsuitable for biological life due to oxidation [3].
Facts (3)
Sources
Hypothetical types of biochemistry - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org 1 fact
claimSilanes, which are silicon analogues to alkanes, react rapidly with water, and long-chain silanes spontaneously decompose.
Alternative Biochemistries: Speculations about Strange Possibilities pressbooks.cuny.edu 1 fact
claimCompounds containing multiple silicon atoms have bonds that are easily disrupted by water.
Carbon may not be the only basis for life. Look for silicon, too bigthink.com 1 fact
claimElemental silicon is unsuitable for life on Earth because it oxidizes into silicates when exposed to atmospheric oxygen or liquid water.