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Origin / Meaning of the name Selenium
The
name originates
from the Greek Selene, who was the Greek goddess of the moon
because the element is chemically found with tellurium (Tellus -
the Roman goddess of the earth).
Periodic Table Group and Classification of the of the Selenium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States
of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Selenium
is
classified as an element in the 'Non-Metals' section which can be
located in groups 14,15 and 16 of the Periodic Table. Non-metallic elements
exist, at room temperature, in two of the three states of matter:
gases (Oxygen,
Hydrogen &
Nitrogen) and solids (Carbon,
Phosphorus,
Sulfur and Selenium).
Facts about the
Discovery and
History of the Selenium
Element
Selenium was discovered by
Jons Jacob Berzelius
in 1817
History of the Periodic Table
Check out the brief
History of the
Periodic Table which details dates and the names of famous
scientists and chemists who contributed to the development of
the Periodic Table.
Occurrence of the Selenium Element
Occurs as selenide in many sulfide ores
Obtained primarily as a by-product of electrolytic copper refining
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe
3×10-6%
% in Sun N/A
% in Meteorites 0.0013%
% in Earth's Crust 5×10-6%
% in Oceans 4.5×10-8%
% in Humans 5×10-6%
Associated Uses of Selenium
TV cameras
Xerography
Photographic equipment |
