Periodic table / Germanium

Overview

Germanium is a chemical element with symbol Ge and atomic number 32. It is a lustrous, hard, grayish-white metalloid in the carbon group, chemically similar to its group neighbors tin and silicon. Purified germanium is a semiconductor, with an appearance most similar to elemental silicon.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of Germanium is [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2, with electron shells of 2, 8, 18, 4.

Physical and chemical properties

Germanium is classified as a metalloid. It has an atomic mass of 72.631 and exists as a solid at standard conditions, appearing as grayish-white.

Real-world uses of Germanium

Germanium is valued for its semiconducting properties and is used in electronics, alloys, and specialty chemical applications.

Interesting facts about Germanium

• Germanium has the atomic number 32 and chemical symbol Ge.
• It belongs to period 4, group 14 of the periodic table.
• Germanium was discovered by Clemens Winkler.

Explore Germanium interactively

Want to compare Germanium with other elements or see it highlighted on the full table? Open the interactive periodic table and click on Ge to explore properties, trends, and neighboring elements. You can also test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz game.