Density
4.82 g/cm³ (gray)
Melting Point
221 °C (gray)
Discovery
Discovered by Jöns Jacob Berzelius and Johann Gottlieb Gahn in 1817.
Common Uses
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Photovoltaic cells and solar panels
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Used in photocopiers and laser printers
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Used to decolorize glass and to make red-colored glass
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Dietary supplement for animals and humans
Interesting Facts
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Named after the Greek word for the moon, "selene".
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Its electrical conductivity increases when exposed to light (photoconductivity).
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Exists in several allotropic forms, including red, black, and gray (metallic) selenium.
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An essential trace element for many organisms, but can be toxic in high doses.
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