What is element selenium used for?

What is element selenium used for?

Selenium is used to make pigments for ceramics, paint and plastics. Selenium has both a photovoltaic action (converts light to electricity) and a photoconductive action (electrical resistance decreases with increased illumination). It is therefore useful in photocells, solar cells and photocopiers.

What are the properties of the element selenium?

Chemical properties of selenium – Health effects of selenium – Environmental effects of selenium

Atomic number 34
Electronegativity according to Pauling 2.4
Density 4.79 g.cm-3 at 20°C
Melting point 217 °C
Boiling point 688 °C

What are 3 facts about selenium?

Here are some interesting facts about selenium: Selenium gets its name from the Greek word “selene,” which means “moon.” Selene was the Greek goddess of the moon. Selenium has atomic number 34, meaning each atom has 34 protons. The element symbol of selenium is Se.

What is special about selenium?

Selenium is a nutritionally essential element. People need selenium for healthy joints, heart and eyes. It plays a critical role in DNA synthesis, the immune system and the reproductive system. It also helps fight cancer and other diseases.

Who found the element selenium?

Johan Gottlieb Gahn
Jöns Jacob Berzelius
Selenium/Discoverers

Who discovered the element selenium?

Where is selenium found on Earth?

Because selenium occurs naturally in Earth’s crust, its presence in air, water, and soil results from both geologic reactions and human activity. Selenium is found concentrated naturally in soils that overlie bedrock with high selenium concentrations.

Where is selenium found in nature?

In nature, selenium is rarely found in its elemental form and only occurs in a few minerals — for example in sulfide ores such as pyrite, where it partially replaces sulfur.

Where is selenium found in food?

Brazil nuts, seafoods, and organ meats are the richest food sources of selenium [1]. Other sources include muscle meats, cereals and other grains, and dairy products.

Where does selenium get its name?

ALL ABOUT SELENIUM The name originates from the Greek word ‘selene’ meaning Moon. Selenium was identified in Stockholm by Jons Jacob Berzelius in 1817 Selenium has similar chemical properties to Sulphur.

Why is selenium red?

An amorphous (noncrystalline), red, powdery form of selenium results when a solution of selenious acid or one of its salts is treated with sulfur dioxide.