Selenium- 74 Isotope, Research Paper Example

The periodic table is way more organized than it first appears. It is broken into groups 1-18 (columns), periods (rows), and blocks: s-, p-, d- or f- value of highest-energy occupied orbital. Se is in group 16, period 4, p-block. Together, the s- and p- blocks constitute the “representative elements”. These elements are the most abundant elements on Earth. The elements position on the table is correlated to their electron configurations. The metals, located on the furthest left side of the periodic table, are good reducing agents. The nonmetals, which are located on the far right (excluding noble gasses), are good oxidizing agents. These elements are highly reactive, especially when combined together (Pearson 2015).

Selenium is a nonmetal representative element. It is a member of the chalcogen family. The name comes from the Greek word chatkos, which translates to “ore”. Other members of this family include oxygen and sulfur, which are found in most ores, as well as tellurium and polonium. Selenium – 74 is one of six naturally occurring isotopes of selenium, and one of five that are stable.While Se-74 is naturally occurring, it may also be produced by fission(Wikifoundry 2006).

Selenium-74 has an atomic number of 34 and an atomic weight of 78.96 g. It’s melting point is 494 K and it’s boiling point is 958 K. It is a metallic gray solid with either an amorphous or crystalline structure. It is found as a trace mineral in humans, and also in the Earths crust, and oceans (Boundless 2015).

Se-74 is mainly used for the production of Se-75, which is later used in gamma radiography (Trace 2015). It iscombined with other elements to create copper indium gallium selenide, which has photographic use and is a materiel used in solarcells and photocells (EVISA 2010). It assists rectifiers in converting alternating current electricity into direct current. It is used as an additive in stainless steel(Advameg, Inc. 2015).Since selenium is fairy reactive, it combines with many different elements to produce other useful things. For example, hydrogen sulfide and aqueous selenous acid react to produce selenium disulfide, which is an ingredient used in shampoo as an anti-dandruff agent. Selenium is also used in conjunction with bismuth in brasses to replace lead, since lead is toxic and has since been regulated. Selenium improves the ease at which steel can be cut to obtain a good finish, the same way that lead would(Winter, M. 2015)

In high doses, selenium is toxic to humans. However, it is an essential micronutrient to animals, and is present in small quantities in plants such as brazil nuts. In animals, it can be found in rare amino acids, selenocysteine and selenomethionine. It is a trace element nutrient that works as a cofactor for reducing antioxidant enzymes found in plants and animals. It also has a part in the functioning of the thyroid gland and aids in reducing the effects of mercury poisoning(Chemicool2015).

Works Cited

n.p.”Chemistry Explained.” Selenium, Chemical Element. Advameg, Inc., 2015. Web. 29 Sept. 2015. <http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/P-  T/Selenium.html>.

n.p. “Periodic Table Position and Electron Configuration.” Boundless Chemistry, 21 July 2015. Web. 29 Sept. 2015. <https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-textbook/periodic-properties-8/the-history-of-the-periodic-table-67/periodic-table-position-and-electron-configuration-314-1438/>.

n.p. “Selenium 74 Metal Isotope.” European Virtual Institute for Speciation Analysis, 2010. Web. 29 Sept. 2015. <http://www.speciation.net/Database/Materials/American-Elements/Selenium-74-Metal-Isotope-;i435.>

n.p. “Representative Elements.” Periodic Table. NCS Pearson, 2015. Web 29 Sept. 2015 <http://chemistry.tutorvista.com/inorganic-chemistry/representative-elements.html>

n.p.”Selenium Isotopes.” Stable Se Isotopes Supplier, 2015. Web 29 Sept. 2015. <http://www.tracesciences.com/se.htm>

n.p. “Chemistry with Mr. Olson.” Selenium. 21 Oct. 2006. Web 29 Sept. 2015 <http://chem.wikifoundry.com/page/Selenium>

n.p.”Selenium Element Facts.” Selenium Element Facts. Chemicool, 2015. Web. 30 Sept. 2015. <http://www.chemicool.com/elements/selenium.html>.

Winter, Mark. “Selenium: Isotope Data.” WebElementsPeriodic Table. The University of  Sheffield, n.d. 29 Sept. 2015. <http://www.webelements.com/selenium/isotopes.html.>