Adopting the Element-Germanium
Physical Properties
Germanium has an atomic mass of 72.63, an atomic radius in picometers of 125, a density of 5.323 per cubic centimeter, a melting point of 938.25° C, and a boiling point of 2833° C. Germanium is a solid at room temperature. It looks to be a metal. In visible light, it appears to be opaque however, in infrared light, it is transparent. It is a brittle semi-conductive element that breaks apart very easily.
Chemical Properties
Germanium is a flammable gas and is usually inactive.
Identifying Information
Atomic Number: 32
Number Mass: 72.63
Protons: 32
Neutrons: 42
Electrons: 32
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Germanium is located in Period 4 Group 14, in the semi-metals/metalloids section.
History & Discovery
Germanium was discovered by Clemens Alexander Winkler in 1886 at Freiburg School of Mines. It was in an ore with two other elements.
Application & Uses
Germanium is used in specialized semi-conductor applications and used for infrared & fiber optics. Infrared light is a type of light on the spectrum that is invisible to us like gamma rays, X-rays, radiowaves, microwaves, and ultra-violet light. Fiber optics and infrared optics are some branches of the scientific study of light. Germanium can also form compounds with a few other elements such as forming fluorides or oxides.
Fun Facts
Germanium is the only element on the periodic table named after a country and found to be stable, meaning it can have the same number of protons and neutrons instead of always being an isotope, an atoms with a different amount of protons and neutrons. Germanium is also used by the Japanese to make bath soaps for medication and more.