32
Ge
Germanium
72.63
Germanium (Ge)
MetalloidGroup 14Period 4p-block-block
Germanium is a chemical element with symbol Ge and atomic number 32. It is a lustrous, hard, grayish-white metalloid in the carbon group, chemically similar to its group neighbors tin and silicon. Purified germanium is a semiconductor, with an appearance most similar to elemental silicon.
Latin name: Germanium
Atomic Number
32
Atomic Mass
72.63 g/mol
Phase (STP)
Solid
Electron Config.
[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p²
General
SymbolGe
Atomic Number32
Atomic Mass72.63 g/mol
CategoryMetalloid
Group14
Period4
Blockp-block
Electron Configuration[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p²
Valence Electrons4
Colourgrayish-white metallic
Appearancegrayish-white
CAS NumberCAS7440-56-4
Physical Properties
Phase (STP)Solid
Density5.323 g/cm³
Melting Point938.25°C · 1720.85°F · 1211.40 K
Boiling Point2832.85°C · 5131.13°F · 3106.00 K
Atomic Properties
Atomic Radius125 pm
Electronegativity2.01 Pauling
Ionization Energy762 kJ/mol
Oxidation States+4, +2
Ion ChargeGe2+/Ge4+
Thermodynamic
Molar Heat23.222 J/(mol·K)
Crystal Structure
Crystal Structurediamond cubic
Mechanical Properties
Mohs Hardness6
Abundance
In Earth's Crust0.0014%
Discovery & History
Discovery Year1886
Discovered ByClemens Winkler
Country of DiscoveryGermany
Isotopes of Germanium
| Isotope | Abundance | Half-life | Decay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ge-70 | 20.84% | Stable | — |
| Ge-72 | 27.54% | Stable | — |
| Ge-73 | 7.73% | Stable | — |
| Ge-74 | 36.28% | Stable | — |
| Ge-76 | 7.61% | 1.78 × 10²¹ years | β⁻β⁻ |