Element 32
Germanium
Metalloids
Germanium (Ge) is in the p-block of the periodic table — group 14, period 4.
Germanium is a chemical element with symbol Ge and atomic number 32.
Key data
- Atomic number
- 32
- Atomic mass
- 72.631 u
- Group / Period
- 14 / 4
- Block
- p-block
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Density
- 5.323 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 938.3 °C
- Boiling point
- 2832.8 °C
- Electron configuration
- [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2
Periodic table block
Germanium is in the p-block (group 14, period 4). Elements land in the p-block when their highest-energy electrons fill a p subshell — this region holds most nonmetals, the metalloids, and the metals on the right of the table.
New to this? Periodic table blocks explained: s, p, d, and f
Common uses
- •Fiber-optic cables
- •Infrared optics
- •Transistors
Discovery
Year: 1886
Discovered by: Clemens Winkler
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic number of Germanium?
Germanium has atomic number 32. Its symbol is Ge and its atomic mass is 72.631 u.
What category of element is Germanium?
Germanium is classified as metalloids. It sits in group 14, period 4 of the periodic table.
What block of the periodic table is Germanium in?
Germanium is in the p-block (group 14, period 4). Its highest-energy electrons occupy the p subshell — you can see this in its electron configuration, [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2.
What is Germanium used for?
Common uses of Germanium include: Fiber-optic cables, Infrared optics, Transistors.
When was Germanium discovered?
Germanium was discovered in 1886 by Clemens Winkler.
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