What is interesting about selenium?

What is interesting 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. A single nut provides enough selenium to meet the daily requirement for a human adult.

What are the main uses of selenium?

The biggest use of selenium is as an additive to glass. Some selenium compounds decolourise glass, while others give a deep red colour. Selenium can also be used to reduce the transmission of sunlight in architectural glass, giving it a bronze tint. Selenium is used to make pigments for ceramics, paint and plastics.

What special property does selenium have?

Selenium is a metalloid (an element intermediate in properties between the metals and the nonmetals). The gray, metallic form of the element is the most stable under ordinary conditions; this form has the unusual property of greatly increasing in electrical conductivity when exposed to light.

What are the allotropic forms of selenium?

Selenium is a nonmetal with several allotropes: a black, vitreous form with an irregular crystal structure; three red-colored forms with monoclinic crystal struc- tures; and a gray form with a hexagonal crystal structure, the most stable and dense form of the element.

What are some interesting facts about the element 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.

Why is selenium used as a light sensor?

An interesting trait about selenium is the fact that it has a photoelectric effect. This means that it reacts to light. One of the first uses of selenium, in fact, was at the light sensor back in the 1870s.

Are there any interesting side effects to selenium?

Selenium Is Everywhere. It is commonly found in laser printers and photocopiers. Selenium is also used in semi conductors and been in prescription medication. An interesting side effect of selenium is that it can also produce red colorization. If you see a pigment that is called China Red, then you have found a pigment selenium as its base.

What is the relationship between selenium and iodine?

Selenium and iodine have a synergistic relationship that is especially important for a healthy thyroid. Iodine is a component of thyroid hormone, and selenium as a selenoprotein helps to convert the thyroid hormone into its active form.