Arsenic (As)
"The Stealthy Saboteur: A master of disguise, this element silently enhances high-speed electronics or delivers a deadly, unseen punch."
A memorable persona to anchor As in your mind.
5.727
Grams per cm³
616
Celsius (°C)
185
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
That vibrant green wallpaper from historical mansions? Sometimes it literally glowed with a toxic secret!
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1250
Discovered By
Albertus Magnus
Origin of Name
"The name is thought to come from 'arsenikon', the Greek name for the yellow pigment orpiment."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
74.922 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
616°C
Electron Configuration
[Ar] 3d104s24p3
1st Ionization Energy
9.815 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"Looks like a dull metallic gray, but don't be fooled—its true power is often invisible or insidious!"
Did You Know?
Invisible Threat: Arsenic earned its infamous title, the 'King of Poisons,' because it's often odorless, tasteless, and colorless when dissolved, making it incredibly difficult to detect historically.
Tech Transformer: This element is a vital player in high-speed electronics! Gallium arsenide, containing arsenic, is used in smartphones, satellites, and LEDs because it conducts electricity super fast.
Nature's Dark Side: Arsenic isn't just man-made evil; it occurs naturally in Earth's crust, found in rocks, soil, and even dissolved in groundwater in many parts of the world.
Color Chameleon: Pure arsenic exists in different forms called allotropes—from a shiny metallic gray to a less stable, waxy yellow, and even a black, glass-like form!