32Ge72.63
Germanium
MetalloidsIn-between elements with some metal and some non-metal properties. Many are semiconductors.
[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p²
- Atomic number
- 32
- Atomic mass
- 72.63
- Protons
- 32
- Neutrons
- 41 (most common)
- Electrons
- 32
- Shells
- 2, 8, 18, 4
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Group 14, period 4
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byClemens Winkler, 1886Clemens Winkler: 1 element
Winkler found it in a silver mineral and named it after Germany. Its properties matched Mendeleev's eka-silicon prediction almost exactly.
Did you know?
- The first transistor, built in 1947, was made with germanium.
- It is a metalloid and a semiconductor.
Where it's found
- Zinc ores
- Coal ash
What it's used for
- Fibre-optic cables
- Infrared camera lenses
- Early transistors
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Germanium. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.