Germanium

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Basic Information

 

Element Name

Germanium

Symbol

Ge

Atomic Number

32

Atomic Mass

72.61amu

Melting Point

937.4°C

Boiling Point

2830.0°C

Density in Natural State

5.323g/cm3

The above table shows that the atomic number of Germanium is 32, therefore making it have 32 protons, and 32 electrons in its natural state. The Atomic mass being 72.61amu shows that there are at least two isotopes that cause the mass not to be exact. The melting point at 937.4 degrees Celsius is a considerably high melting point.  After the element is melted, it will start boiling when the temperature hits 2830.0 degrees Celsius. This is EXTREMELY hot, considering the boiling point of water is only 100.0 degrees Celsius. The density in its natural state shows that it is more dense than water, which has a density of 1.00g/mL. Also, the specific heat capacity for Germanium, is 0.32 J/gK. Germanium has some properties the same as metals, and therefore has a lower heat capacity than water. This makes it easier to heat up and cool down.

 

Germanium is a hard, grayish colored element that may be brittle. However at room temperature, the surface of Germanium is shiny.  Germanium's relative abundance is a small 0.0007% in the earth's crust by mass. This is extremely small, considering Hydrogen has a natural abundance of 98.89%. (Barbalace) This demonstrates that Germanium is nowhere near as abundant as and of the major elements such as Hydrogen or Carbon.

 

List of Isotopes:

Isotope Protons Neutrons Electrons
Ge-70 32 38 32
Ge-72 32 40 32
Ge-73 32 41 32
Ge-74 32 42 32
Ge-76 32 44 32

The only isotopes that appear in this table are the ones that are found naturally. All of the isotopes are found to have 32 protons, and 32 electrons. The Ge-70 isotope has an atomic mass of 70 amu, and consists of 38 neutrons. The Ge-72 isotope has an atomic mass of 72 amu, and consists of 40 neutrons. The Ge-73 isotope is found to have a mass of 73 amu, and consists of 41 neutrons. The Ge-74 isotope has an atomic mass of 74 amu, and consists of 42 neutrons. The Ge-76 isotope has an atomic mass of 76 amu, and consistes of 44 neutrons.

The Ge-74 isotope is found to be the most abundant of the germaniums at 36.28%. Ge-72 is the second most abundant at 27.54%. The third most abundant is the Ge-70 isotope at 20.84%. The Ge-73 isotope barely edges out Ge-76 for the fourth spot at 7.73%, with Ge-76 coming in at 7.61%. (Winter)