Selenium found a number of things today. It has 34 protons, and is named after the moon. First discovered in 1817 by Swedish scientist, it is a nonmetal that is relatively uncommon in its pure form in nature. It is an essential element of proper nutrition in many plants and animals the day, including humans. The problem is that when she much selenium is adjusted, it can become toxic. Here are some interesting facts about this element that you may not have known.
1. Eat Some Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are interesting because they are naturally high in selenium. They have large quantities of this element even if they are grown in soil that does not have it. A single Brazil not have enough selenium to meet the daily requirements that the average adult requires.
2. It Is Sensitive
An interesting trait about selenium is the fact that it has a photoelectric effect. This means that it reacts to light. One of the first uses of selenium, in fact, was at the light sensor back in the 1870s. Alexander Graham Bell, who is given credit for the invention of the telephone, actually invented a photo phone in 1879 that was based on the principles of light sensitivity with selenium.
3. Selenium Is Everywhere
You probably use technology today that incorporates selenium in some way. It is commonly found in laser printers and photocopiers. Selenium is also used in semi conductors and been in prescription medication. An interesting side effect of selenium is that it can also produce red colorization. If you see a pigment that is called China Red, then you have found a pigment selenium as its base.
4. A Love of Glass
The expression of wearing rose-colored glasses comes about because of the color of glass that selenium exposure is able to produce. Selenium is able to color glass red. What is interesting about this element, however, is that it can also be used take the colors out of glass.
5. It Helps the Skin
All they would produce the movie where alien invaders were found to be sensitive to selenium. This is because there are salts that can be found within the element. You probably have selenium salts somewhere in your home right now. That is because they are used to help control dandruff.
6. Eat Some Sushi
Another interesting component of money on is the fact that it can protect people against Mercury poisoning. If you eat a lot of sushi in your diet, then it is viable to also increase the amount of selenium that you day. That means you might have to eat three Brazil nuts instead of just one to make sure that you have the daily required dose that will help keep you healthy.
7. It’s Got 6 Isotopes
Selenium has six natural isotopes. Five of those isotopes are stable, but the 6th one is radioactive. The half-life of the unstable isotope is so long, however, that it is basically stable even if it isn’t classified as such. Scientists have been able to produce another 23 unstable isotopes artificially with selenium.