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Selenium
Selenium
Selenium
Selenium is a relatively rare element that is normally extracted as a by-product from copper ore. The name selenium comes from the Greek "selene" meaning "moon." Selenium possesses an unpleasant odour, and in nature, this element exists in two main forms – the stable silvery crystalline form and the reactive red powder.
- Selenium is one of the chemicals present in some dandruff-fighting shampoos.
- Selenium is used as a degasifier in the metallurgical industry.
- Selenium has semi-conducting properties.
Selenium has a role to play in printing. Due to the presence of selenium as the photoreceptor in photocopy machines, we are able to obtain duplicate copies of reports, pictures, and other documents on paper.
Cells that convert light to electricity are known as photocells. Selenium possesses both photovoltaic and electronic properties, which combined with its photo-conducting properties, make it a prime element for use in photometers for photography.
Other Applications
- Selenium can be used either to decolourize glass or to give it a ruby-red colouration.
| Symbol | Se |
| Atomic Number | 34 |
| Relative Atomic Mass |
78.96 |
