Germanium

Germanium (Ge)

Atomic Number: 32
Atomic Weight: 72.59
Melting Point: 937.4
Boiling Point: 2830
Specific Gravity: 5.323
Valence(s): 2 and 4
Germanium was discovered by Winkler in 1886. Germanium is found in the mineral argyrodite and in coal. Germanium is an important semiconductor material, but its largest use is in transistors. Its high refractive index makes germanium useful in producing lenses for glasses, wide angle cameras, and microscope objectives. [LM] {RW}