Gallium

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Gallium

Gallium (pronounced /ˈɡæliəm/) is a chemical element with the symbol Ga and atomic number 31.

Etymology

The name Gallium originates from the Latin word Gallia, meaning France, and was discovered by French chemist Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran in 1875.

Properties

Gallium is a soft, silvery metal at standard temperature and pressure. It is in group 13 of the Periodic Table, and thus has similarities to the other metals of the group, aluminium, indium, and thallium. Gallium does not occur as a free element in nature, but as gallium(III) compounds in trace amounts in zinc ores and in bauxite.

Uses

Gallium is used in semiconductors and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). It is also used in the production of photovoltaic cells, which are used in solar panels. Gallium arsenide, a compound of gallium, is used in microwave circuits, high-speed switching circuits, and infrared circuits.

Health Effects

Gallium is not considered a hazardous substance, although it can cause skin irritation if handled improperly. Ingestion of gallium may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but it is not considered toxic.

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