Selenium (Se)
Selenium is an essential trace element for humans and is used in electronics and glassmaking.
Properties of Selenium
- Atomic number
- 34
- Category
- Nonmetal
- Atomic mass
- 78.971 u
- Electron configuration
- [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁴
- Melting point
- 494 K (220.85 °C)
- Boiling point
- 958 K (684.85 °C)
- Density
- 4.809 g/cm³
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 2.55
- Appearance
- Gray metallic or red amorphous solid
- Discovered by
- Jöns Jacob Berzelius (1817)
Facts about Selenium
- Selenium is named after the Moon — "selene" is Greek for moon!
- Brazil nuts are the richest food source of selenium!
- Selenium is used in anti-dandruff shampoo!
- Your body needs tiny amounts of selenium to stay healthy!