Arsenic

Arsenic

Symbol	As
Atomic Number	33
Atomic Mass	74.922
Discovered by	Arsenic was discovered by Albertus Magnus

Chemical Properties Of Arsenic

What is Arsenic?

• Arsenic, a chemical element placed in the nitrogen group of the periodic table that exists in both the gray and yellow crystalline forms. It is present in three allotropic forms- black, yellow and gray. A silver-gray and brittle crystalline solid are the stable forms. It gets tarnished rapidly when comes in contact with air and at high temperatures by preparing a white cloud of arsenic trioxide. The metallic form of the element is brittle and it gets tarnished when oxidized to arsenic trioxide. Its non-metallic form is less reactive but easily dissolves when heated with strong oxidizing acids and alkalis.
• Arsenic is a steel-gray, brittle solid with low thermal and electrical conductivity. There are some forms of elemental arsenic are metal-like and is best classified as a non-metal. Some other forms are also there but are not properly characterized. This element sublimes at 613 °C and it exists as As4 molecules. It is stable in dry air and in moist air it tends to become coated with a black oxide. The sublimed arsenic vapor heated in air to form an arsenic oxide.

Uses Of Arsenic

• This element is mainly used in compounds and a smaller amount is used in alloys.
• It is also used to prepare lead shot in past and the amount used in these applications continues to decrease.
• Arsenic can easily get into the environment from such applications. Some amount is added to silicon and germanium to make transistors.
• Gallium arsenide, a compound of arsenic is used to make light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These LEDs produce the lighted numbers in the clock, watches, hand-held calculators and different other electronic devices.