Why is this element important in everyday life?
Germanium is a silvery-gray metal that is hard and brittle. It is used in vacuum tubes in electronic circuits, computers, transister radios, heart pacemakers, space probes, and microwave ovens. It also helped revolutionize the communications industry because of its long life, small size, and resistance to shock.
Where is this element found in nature?
Germanium is found in nature in its pure form in zinc ores. It is also found in large amounts in the mineral germanite.
What are the properties of the element?
General Characteristics =
Germanium is a solid that is a silvery-gray color at room temperature. It is a metalloid which is not radioactive. It forms compounds called transisters, which are when impurities are added to make perfect crystals "doped". Germanium is reactive with other elements such as arsenic and gallium. When either one of these elements bonds with germanium, it creates electricity.
Atomic Symbol = Ge
Period Number = 4
Group Number and Family Name = Group number 14, Carbon Family
Atomic Number = 32
Atomic Mass = 72.59
Density = 5.32 g/cm3
Melting Point = 937.4 Degrees C
Boiling Point = 2830 Degrees C
Electron Configuration = 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d104p2
Shorthand Notation =[Ar]4s23d104p2
Common Reactions = Germanium one of the most common elements used as a transister. When another element is added, a current flows through the resulting "doped" crystal. One example of this reaction is when arsenic is added. Arsenic atoms have five electrons in the outermost energy level that can be used for bonding, and germanium has four electrons that need to be paired to produce electricity. When this atom is added, an extra electron remains unlike when gallium is added. Gallium has three electrons in its outermost energy level for bonding. Even though it is short of an electron, gallium can still produce electricity with germanium.
Interesting Information = Dmitri Mendeleev made one of the first periodic tables, but he left empty spaces on it because he knew that there would be new elements that would have to be added in the future. Mendeleev went even further by predicting detailed properties for the following three elements: gallium, scandium, and germanium. He also named these elements: ekaaluminum for gallium, ekaboron for scandium, and ekasilicon for germanium.
Who is Germaine Germanium ?
Germaine Germanium, our leading candidate for the future President of the Periodic Table, desires to help you, the people, by making your life easier. Not only will he be the transister in your electronic circuits, but also in your computers, transister radios, microwave ovens, space probes, and heart pacemakers. If elected his fully capable cabinet would be comprised of Carlos Carbon, Constance Silicon, Rin Tin Tin, and Lydia Lead.
Mr. Germaine Germanium, age thirty-two, resides at #4 14th Street. He is frequently seen out and about with his companions, Galileo Gallium and Arnie Arsenic. They certainly can produce some electrifying moments when they put their minds to it. Mr. Germanium is quite small in stature, a little gray and brittle for his age, but is very even tempered. Mr. Germanium is closely associated with his fellow metalloids, Boristokof Boron, Constance Silicon, Arnie Arsenic, Antony Antimony, and Tillie Tellurium. He appears extremely calm and does not let beligerent groups rattle him. He remains continually nonreactive.
Mr. Germanium promises to keep the lines of communication open for his constituents. He will utilize his small size to your advantage. He also promises to devote a long life of consistant hard work to fulfill your desires. Since Mr. Germanium does not shock easily, he will be able to concentrate on the task at hand without interuption.
Mr. Germanium would be an excellent leader since he is a devoted family man. He is related to many of his advisers who have never steered him wrong. If elected he will undoubtedly seek out his family members including Carlos Carbon, Constance Silicon, Rehnquist (Rin Tin) Tin, and Lydia Lead. Some other sources for Mr. Germanium to collaborate with are Pheobigena Phosphorus, Allosaurus Aluminum,and India Indium. He trusts them to guide him in the right direction for our Periodic Table!
Mr. Germanium promises to interact faithfully with those who wish to contribute to the betterment of our great Periodic Table. He will forever attempt to keep all of you informed of the concerns of the Periodic Table. Furthermore, he expects each of you to contribute your ideas and plans for review concerning ways to improve our capabilities.
Please elect Germaine Germanium your next President of the Periodic Table. He will get the job done and lead you into the millenium. He does not shock easily and intends to live a long life leading his constituents. Vote for Germanium. He will spark your interest and put some razzle dazzle in your world.
