Most computer chips contain or are made of silicon. Why silicon? Why not copper or tellurium or some such?
1 Answer
Most electron components of computer chips and boards are semiconductor devices like transistors and diodes. Silicon is, from the Wikipedia article on semiconductor devices:
By far, silicon (Si) is the most widely used material in semiconductor devices. Its combination of low raw material cost, relatively simple processing, and a useful temperature range make it currently the best compromise among the various competing materials
Silicon is the second most common element in the earth's crust after oxygen, and present in a variety of silicate minerals.
Electronics grade silicon can be produced easily by molten salt electrolysis of these minerals followed by purification by zone refining.
Copper is a conductor, and therefor not suitable for semiconductor devices. Tellurium is one of the rarest elements in the earth's crust.