Germanium

Germanium
Properties
Atomic symbol	Ge
Atomic number	32
Classification	Metalloid
Atomic mass	72.6
Other Information
Date of discovery	1886
Name of discoverer	Clemens Winkler
Name origin	From the Latin word Germania, meaning Germany
Uses	Semiconductors
Obtained from	Refining of copper, zinc, lead

Germanium (jer-MAY-ni-em) is a brittle, silvery-white semi-metal (metalloid).

History

Germanium was first proposed to exist by Dmitri Mendeleyev in 1871. He had recently created a Periodic Table of Elements, and identified gaps which where unknown elements. Germanium was officially discovered in 1886 by Clemens Winkler, a German chemist. He found it in the mineral argyrodite (Ag8GeS6).

Properties

Melting Point: 1720.85 °F (938.25 °C or 1211.40 K)

Boiling Point: 5131 °F (2833 °C or 3106 K)

Density: 5.323 grams per cubic centimeter

State of Matter at Room Temperature: Solid

Uses

Germanium is primarily used as a semiconductor. With arsenic, gallium, indium, antimony or phosphorus, it is used to make transistors. Another major use for Germanium is lenses. It is used in the manufacture of wide-angle camera lenses and objective lenses for microscopes. It is also used to create alloys and as a phosphor in fluorescent lamps. Additionally, adding 1% germanium to silver prevents tarnishing.

External links

• http://chemistry.about.com/od/elementfacts/a/germanium.htm