Germanium (Ge) – element 32
Germanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ge and atomic number 32. It is a metalloid in group 14, period 4 of the periodic table (p-block), and is a solid at room temperature.
Germanium (Ge) has atomic number 32, atomic mass 72.63 u and electron configuration [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2.
Germanium facts
| Symbol | Ge |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 32 |
| Atomic mass | 72.63 u (g/mol) |
| Category | metalloid |
| Group | group 14 |
| Period | 4 |
| Block | p-block |
| Phase at 20 °C | Solid |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p2 |
| Noble-gas notation | [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 4 |
| Valence electrons | 4 |
Bohr model and shells
Germanium has 32 electrons in 4 shells: 2, 8, 18, 4. Full configuration and noble-gas notation are in the table; work out any element or ion with the electron configuration calculator.
Physical and atomic properties
| Melting point | 1211.4 K (938.3 °C) |
|---|---|
| Boiling point | 3106 K (2832.8 °C) |
| Density | 5.323 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.01 |
| Electron affinity | 118.935 kJ/mol |
| Ionization energies | 762, 1537.5, 3302.1 kJ/mol (1st, 2nd, 3rd) |
| Molar heat capacity | 23.222 J/(mol·K) |
| Discovered by | Clemens Winkler |
Use the atomic mass in the molar mass calculator for any formula containing Ge.
Position in the periodic table
Tap any element to open its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic mass of germanium?
The atomic mass of germanium is 72.63 u, so one mole of germanium atoms weighs 72.63 g.
What is the electron configuration of germanium?
Germanium has 32 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p², or [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p² in noble-gas notation. Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 4.
How many valence electrons does germanium have?
Germanium has 4 valence electrons (group 14).
Is germanium a metal?
Germanium is a metalloid: it has properties between metals and nonmetals.
Where is germanium on the periodic table?
Germanium is in group 14, period 4, in the p-block.
Data: Periodic-Table-JSON (CC BY-SA 3.0); standard atomic weights from IUPAC (abridged). Values in brackets are the mass number of the longest-lived isotope.