Selenium

1. Selenium Kierstin Knellinger

2. 34 Se Selenium 79

3. 2,8,18,6

4. Selenium • Symbol = Se • Atomic Number = 34 • Atomic Weight/Mass = 79 • Standard State = solid • Family/Group in Periodic Table = 16 • Number of Valence Electrons = 6 • Color = grey, metallic luster • Classification = non-metallic

5. History of the Element Selenium • Discovered by Jons Jacob Berzelius, a Swedish chemist, in 1817, in Sweden • Its name is from a Greek word “selene” meaning “moon” • Most Selenium is obtained as a byproduct of refining copper

6. Uses of Selenium • Selenium is useful in devices that respond to the intensity of light, such as electric eyes, photo cells, and light meters for cameras and copiers • Can also produce electricity directly from sunlight and is used in solar cells • It’s a semiconductor and is used in some type of solid-state electronics as well as in rectifiers, devices which convert alternating current electricity into direct current electricity • Used to make a ruby-red color in glasses and enamels, as a photographic toner and as an additive to stainless steel • Used in photocopying for reproducing and copying documents, letters, etc.

7. Biological Effects of Selenium • Selenium occurs in some soils in amounts sufficient to produce serious effects on animals feeding on plants such as locoweed (American plant) grown in such soils • Selenium compounds are extremely toxic, however, the element itself isn’t toxic