3272.63GeGermanium
Germanium (Ge) — element 32metalloid · group 14, period 4
Germanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ge and atomic number 32. It is a metalloid in group 14, period 4 of the periodic table (the p-block), with a standard atomic mass of 72.63 u. At room temperature (25 °C) germanium is a solid.
💡 Known for: The semiconductor used in the first transistors; now used in fibre optics and infrared lenses.
# Germanium properties
| Symbol | Ge |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 32 |
| Atomic mass | 72.63 u |
| Category | metalloid |
| Group | 14 |
| Period | 4 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p² |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p² |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 4 |
| Protons / electrons | 32 / 32 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 1211.4 K (938.3 °C, 1720.8 °F) |
| Boiling point | 3106 K (2832.8 °C, 5131.1 °F) |
| Density | 5.323 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.01 |
| First ionization energy | 7.9 eV |
| Atomic radius | 125 pm |
| Discovered | 1886 |
# Electron configuration of germanium
The electron configuration of germanium is [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p², written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p². Its 32 electrons fill 4 shells as 2, 8, 18, 4, so the outermost shell holds 4 electrons. As a group 14 element, germanium has 4 valence electrons.
# Related elements
GaGalliumprevious elementAsArsenicnext elementCCarbongroup 14SiSilicongroup 14SnTingroup 14PbLeadgroup 14FlFleroviumgroup 14BBoronmetalloidSbAntimonymetalloidTeTelluriummetalloid
# Germanium FAQ
What is the atomic number of germanium?
The atomic number of germanium is 32: every germanium atom has 32 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Ge.
What is the atomic mass of germanium?
The standard atomic mass of germanium is 72.63 u.
What is the electron configuration of germanium?
Germanium's electron configuration is [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p² (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p²), with 2, 8, 18, 4 electrons per shell.
Is germanium a metal?
No. Germanium is a metalloid, with properties between those of metals and nonmetals.
What is the melting point of germanium?
Germanium melts at 1211.4 K (938.3 °C, 1720.8 °F) and boils at 3106 K (2832.8 °C, 5131.1 °F).
What is germanium used for / known for?
The semiconductor used in the first transistors; now used in fibre optics and infrared lenses.