Germanium
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Germanium (Ge) is a grey metalloid that has the atomic number 32 in the periodic table. It is located in Group 14 of the periodic table. It has the symbol Ge.
Germanium like Gallium was an element predicted by Dimitri Mendeleev through his work on the periodic table looking at tin and silicon. It was discovered by Clemens Winkler in 1886 from a silver ore sample. It was named Germanium after its countries founder’s origin, Germany. Germanium being a semi-metal is crystalline and brittle but is also a semiconductor. Unlike most solids it also expands when it freezes. Germanium is used as a transistor due to its semiconducting ability and also used in building circuits. Germanium is not naturally occurring in the earth’s crust it is found in the ore Germanite. It is located in Group 14 and it has a melting point of 938°c and a boiling point of 2833°c being a solid at room temperature.
FAQ's
Clemens Winkler
1886
Uses
Widely used in semiconductors. It is a good semiconductor when combined with tiny amounts of phosphorus, arsenic, gallium, and antimony.
Sources
Obtained from refining copper, zinc and lead.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Ge
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