But what silicon crystals ARE good for is making electronic devices such as transistors. To explain how this is done, we need a bit more crystal.
This larger crystal is enough except for one problem: in its pure state it does not conduct electricity.
That is because we have worked so hard to get the electrons in their most comfortable positions that they now don?t want to move: For each silicon atom, 10 electrons are tied to the nucleus, and the final four are securely bound in inter-atomic bonds. At this point silicon is an insulator.
