In 1885, a new mineral named agyrodite was discovered. A scientist discovered that the mineral was made up of three different elements which were, sulfur, silver, and a new element. Clemens Winkler, the scientist that made the discovery of the new element, proposed on calling it neptunium, because of his discovery of the planet neptune, but a proposed element already had that name. So instead he chose to name it germanium in honor of his home country Germany.

Germanium is ca metalloid within the carbon group.

Short: Ar 3d10 4s2 4p2

Long: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4s2 4p2

Number of Valence Electrons: 4s2p2

Color: Usually silvery or gray/white

Luster: Very lustrous

Density: Around 5.5 g/cm^3

Solubility: Insoluble in dilute acids.

Boiling Point: 2830 degrees Celsius

Melting Point: 938 degrees Celsius

Texture: Crystalline and Brittle texture

Ability to conduct electricity: semiconductor

-Used as s catalyst and an alloying agent.

-It is often used in technology.

-It can be used in infrared spectroscopes and infrared detectors.

"Germanium." Chemicool Periodic Table. Chemicool.com. 26 Jul. 2014. Web. 12/9/2015 <http://www.chemicool.com/elements/germanium.html>.

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