Germanium
Germanium (Ge)
Germanium (pronounced /dʒərˈmeɪniəm/) is a chemical element with the symbol Ge and atomic number 32. It is a lustrous, hard-brittle, grayish-white metalloid in the carbon group, chemically similar to its group neighbors silicon and tin.
Etymology
The term Germanium is derived from the Latin word Germania meaning Germany. It was discovered by the German chemist Clemens Winkler in the mineral argyrodite in 1886. Winkler named the element after his homeland, Germany.
Properties
Germanium is a semiconductor, with an appearance most similar to elemental silicon. Like silicon, germanium naturally reacts and forms complexes with oxygen in nature.
Uses
Germanium is used for fiber-optic systems and infrared optics, but is also used for polymerization catalysts and in electronics and solar electric applications.
Related Terms
- Semiconductor
- Silicon
- Tin
- Oxygen
- Clemens Winkler
- Polymerization
- Electronics
- Solar electric applications
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Germanium
- Wikipedia's article - Germanium
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