Atomic symbol - Ge
Atomic weight - 72.61
Atomic number - 32
Electron configuration - 2-8-18-4
Oxidation states - +2, +4
State of matter - solid
Heavy metal-low melting
Discovered in 1886 by Clements Winkler
Boils at 2830 .C, melts at 937.4 .C

Notes:
Germanium is an important element used in the manufacture of transistors, and
photocells. Germanium is never found free and is actually quite brittle even
though the atoms of a germanium crystal are found in the same arrangement as
carbon atoms in a diamond. It reacts quickly with the halogens to form
tetrahalides.