Final answer:
Silicon is a good material for computer chips because it is a semiconductor and can form compounds with unique properties. The presence of foreign atoms allows it to have multiple uses in integrated circuits.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the reasons why silicon is a good material for computer chips is because it is a semiconductor. Semiconductors are substances that conduct electricity better than insulators but not as well as conductors. Silicon's electrical conductivity is in between that of a metal and a nonmetal, making it ideal for use in computer chips.
Furthermore, the presence of minute foreign atoms with one electron more or less than the valence four silicon atoms is key in making n- and p-type semiconductors. Having many semiconductors connected in a single chip makes the integrated circuit a very efficient information processor.
Silicon's ability to form compounds containing Si-O-Si bonds is also important in making computer chips. These compounds are of prime importance in the mineral world and allow silicon to have unique properties that are valuable in the electronics industry.