Iodine
From Conservapedia
| Iodine | |
|---|---|
| Name | Iodine |
| Symbol | I |
| Atomic number | 53 |
| Atomic mass | 126.90447 amu |
| Normal state | Solid |
| Classification | Halogen |
| Crystal structure | Orthorhombic |
| Density | 4.93 g/cm^3 |
| Color | Extremely dark purple |
| Number of Stable Isotopes | 1 |
| Date of discovery | 1811 |
| Name of discoverer | Barnard Courtois |
| Name origin | Greek 'iodes', violet |
| Uses | Pharmaceuticals, food supplements, dyes, catalysts. |
| Obtained from | Brine, seaweed. |
Iodine (pronounced to rhyme with "mean") is a chemical element. A trace element, it is required by humans for the synthesis of the thyroid hormone thyroxin. [1] People who do not get enough iodine in their diet can suffer from goiter, a disease of the thyroid. This is rarely a problem; but to make sure, iodine is often added to salt ("iodized salt".)
Iodine is a solid which sublimes at room temperature—it slowly evaporates directly into the gaseous vapor phase, without going through a liquid phase.
It was discovered by accident in 1811, while Barnard Courtois was treating seaweed ash (which contains a significant amount of iodine) with sulfuric acid.
For a long time a substance called "iodine" (often pronounced to rhyme with "mine") has been used as a household treatment/disinfectant for cuts and scrapes. That is actually tincture of iodine, a dilute solution of potassium iodide in alcohol.
