working to make science better For the 118 indvidual WIS elements, GO to MORE in the menu above . . .
Synthetic garnets are often yttrium aluminium garnet Y3Al2(AlO4)3,
Other similar compounds have a formula A3B2(C O4)3. where A, B and C are different elements with silicon, Si, gemanium, Ge, gallium, Ga, aluminium, Al, vanadium. V or iron Fe with the O4.
WIS Photographer
Germanium Ge
Where is germanium used--or where does it impact your everyday life?
Used in semiconductors--germanium is a semi metal or metalloid
Name of element: Germanium (Ge)
Researched by Alexia G.
Atomic number: 32
Atomic mass: 72.63
Where in the Periodic Table: group 14, period 4, block p
Melting point: 938.25°C, 1720.85°F, 1211.4˚ K
Boiling point: 2833ËšC, 5131ËšF, 3106ËšK
Density: 5.3234 g cm-3 (=g/mL)
Three main isotopes: Ge-74, Ge-73, Ge-76
Electron configuration: [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2
Found in nature: Found in germanite, argyrodite, and some zinc ores
% abundance Earth’s crust: 0.00014%
% abundance Universe: 0.00002%
Extracted from: sphalerite (primary ore of zinc)
How: it is a byproduct of zinc processing
Amount used per year, US: 35,000 kg (2014)
Amount used per year, World: 80-ton (2003) remained largely unchanged since then, due to minimization of germanium kept in stockpiles, and found substitutes
118 tonnes extracted worldwide in 2011
Cost (2015 US $): $1900/kg in October 2015
Uses of the element: Originally used in semiconductor in transistors and other devices. Presently used in fibre-optic systems, infrared optics, and solar cell applications. Also used for polymerization catalysts and nanowire production.
Amount in the adult body: 0.000007%
Reactivity with air (oxygen): Does not react with oxygen at room temperature. However, at red heat, it reacts to form germanium dioxide. Ge(s) + O2(g) → GeO2(s)
Reactivity with water: Does not react with water.
Reactivity with acids or alkalis: Insoluble in dilute acids and alkalis, but dissolves slowly in hot concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids, and reacts violently with molten alkalis to produce germanates.
Other: lustrous, hard, grayish-white metalloid in the carbon group, chemically similar to tin and silicon
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/germanium/germamyb03.pdf
LANL.gov Researcher: Alexia G
The Apple connecting wire, in the image to the left, has germanium connectors.
Germanium atom: atomic structure model making in progress. Ms. F's 9th grade Chemistry class
Photocopiers contain a drum which becomes positively charged to attract toner particles--the surface of the drum is germanium or selenium or silicon.
WIS Photographer
