Germanium (Ge): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Germanium (Ge) is element 32 of the periodic table, a metalloid in period 4, group 14. Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 4, and its standard atomic weight is 72.63 u.
▶ Watch Germanium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableGermanium at a glance
| Symbol | Ge |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 32 |
| Atomic mass | 72.63 u |
| Category | Metalloid |
| Group | 14 |
| Period | 4 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 4 |
| Outer-shell electrons | 4 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.01 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Germanium on the periodic table?
Germanium is in period 4, group 14, in the p-block. The period number matches its 4 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Silicon sits directly above it and Tin sits directly below it. Elements in one group have the same number of outer-shell electrons (4 here), which is why they react in similar ways.
How to work out the electron configuration of Germanium
Put 32 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p² (32). In shorthand, [Ar] stands for the 18 electrons of argon, giving [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p².
How electronegative is Germanium?
Germanium has a Pauling electronegativity of 2.01, ranking 31 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is in the middle of the range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Germanium?
The electron configuration of Germanium (Ge) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2.
How many electrons does Germanium have in each shell?
Germanium has 32 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 4. It has 4 electrons in its outer shell.
What is the atomic mass of Germanium?
The standard atomic weight of Germanium is 72.63 u, so one mole of Germanium atoms has a mass of about 72.63 g.
Is Germanium a metal?
Germanium is a metalloid: its properties sit between those of metals and nonmetals.
Explore nearby elements
More metalloids: Boron, Silicon, Arsenic, Antimony, Tellurium. See all elements on the periodic table.