Who Discovered Selenium
Who discovered the element?
Selenium was discovered by Jons Jacob Berzelius in 1817.
How was the element discovered?
Selenium was discovered by Jons Jakob Berzelius in 1817. In 1817, he was studying the chemicals used in making sulfuric acid, but they got selenium from a red-brown sediment which collected at the bottom of the chambers in the particular plant. At first he thought it was the element tellurium and tellurium is a rare element, so he brought it back to his laboratory. After studying the element, Berzelius found that the substance was similar to tellurium, but it also had different properties. He eventually realized that it was a new element.
How did the element get that particular name?
Selenium was discovered by Berzelius. He …show more content…
Give a description of the element’s position on the periodic table.
The atomic number of selenium is 34, because there are 34 electrons and 35 protons s in the atom. Therefore, selenium is the No. 34 element in the periodic table, it is in period 4, group 16 which is also called the chalcogen group. The term chalcogen stands for “sulfur”, therefore all elements in family 16 are similar to the element sulfur. All the elements in family 16 are non-metals and all of these elements in chalcogen family have six electrons in the outermost shell so they all have the similar properties.
Give a description of the physical characteristics and chemical properties of the element.
Physical characteristics:
Selenium is solid at room temperature. Selenium exists in several forms, but is usually appear as an amorphous or crystalline structure. An amorphous selenium is either red or black and crystalline monoclinic selenium is usually deep red or gray. Selenium has a melting point of 217°C and a boiling point of 685°C. The density of selenium is 4.5 grams per cubic centimeter. Selenium is a semiconductor, it is able to conduct an electric current better than non-conductors, but is different from conductors. Selenium is also a photoconductor, it can change light energy into electrical energy in order to make brightness to
Selenium was discovered by Jons Jacob Berzelius in 1817.
How was the element discovered?
Selenium was discovered by Jons Jakob Berzelius in 1817. In 1817, he was studying the chemicals used in making sulfuric acid, but they got selenium from a red-brown sediment which collected at the bottom of the chambers in the particular plant. At first he thought it was the element tellurium and tellurium is a rare element, so he brought it back to his laboratory. After studying the element, Berzelius found that the substance was similar to tellurium, but it also had different properties. He eventually realized that it was a new element.
How did the element get that particular name?
Selenium was discovered by Berzelius. He …show more content…
Give a description of the element’s position on the periodic table.
The atomic number of selenium is 34, because there are 34 electrons and 35 protons s in the atom. Therefore, selenium is the No. 34 element in the periodic table, it is in period 4, group 16 which is also called the chalcogen group. The term chalcogen stands for “sulfur”, therefore all elements in family 16 are similar to the element sulfur. All the elements in family 16 are non-metals and all of these elements in chalcogen family have six electrons in the outermost shell so they all have the similar properties.
Give a description of the physical characteristics and chemical properties of the element.
Physical characteristics:
Selenium is solid at room temperature. Selenium exists in several forms, but is usually appear as an amorphous or crystalline structure. An amorphous selenium is either red or black and crystalline monoclinic selenium is usually deep red or gray. Selenium has a melting point of 217°C and a boiling point of 685°C. The density of selenium is 4.5 grams per cubic centimeter. Selenium is a semiconductor, it is able to conduct an electric current better than non-conductors, but is different from conductors. Selenium is also a photoconductor, it can change light energy into electrical energy in order to make brightness to