Germanium is the thirty-second element on the periodic table. Elements are arranged in the periodic table based on the atomic number. Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. Germanium has an atomic number of 32. It is in the Group 14 and Period 4 of the periodic table of elements. It is denoted by Ge. The name is derived from the Latin name of Germany, ‘Germania’. Germanium ores are one of the rarest of ores present on earth. The concentration of germanium in Earth’s crust is 1.6 ppm. Only few minerals contain germanium in appreciable quantities such as argyrodite, birartite, and germanite.
Below are some physical and chemical properties of gemanium:
- Germanium is a silvery-white semi-metallic element;
- The atomic mass of germanium is 72.59;
- The melting point of germanium is 937°C;
- The boiling point of germanium is 2830°C;
- Germanium reacts violently with molten alkalis thus forming germanates.
- The density of germanium is 5300 in S.I. units at 20°C;
- Germanium is one of the few elements which expand when solidified from its molten state;
- Germanium has five naturally occurring isotopes; germanium-70, germanium-72, germanium-73, germanium-74, and germanium-76;
- Elemental germanium starts to oxidise in air at around 250°C;
- Germanium is insoluble in dilute acids and alkalis;
- Germanium dissolves slowly in hot concentrated sulphuric and nitric acid;
- Germanium is known to form binary compounds with chalcogens. Chalcogens are chemical elements in the Group 16 of the periodic table. For example, germanium disulfide and germanium diselenide.
It’s often overshadowed, but Germanium is a true workhorse in various high-performance applications. What are some of the key properties that give germanium its strategic importance in today’s technological landscape?
Text rights: (Germanium Element Properties and Information – Chemical Engineering World, 2022)
Source: https://chemicalengineeringworld.com/germanium-element-properties-and-information/
