Question

The gray allotrope of selenium, commonly referred to as the 'metallic' allotrope, despite not being a metal, it is stable and has a hexagonal crystal structure.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is A True

Selenium exists in several allotropic forms. The most stable form, crystalline hexagonal selenium, is metallic gray. Crystalline monoclinic selenium is a deep red color. Amorphous selenium is red in powder form and is black in vitreous form. Gray crystalline metallic selenium conducts electricity better in the light than in the dark (photoconductive) and it can convert light directly into electricity (photovoltaic).