Selenium is a non-metallic element discovered in 1817 by Swedish scientist Jöns Jacob Berzelius. It has various industrial uses including in photocopiers, solar cells, and cameras due to its ability to conduct electricity when exposed to light. Selenium is rarely found in nature but can be extracted from copper sulfide and ranks 31st in abundance among elements. It has a melting point of 493.65 K and is also used in dandruff shampoos and is an essential nutrient found in foods like Brazil nuts, fish, and whole grains.

1. Selenium
“si-LEE-ni-em”
By Matt Calme

2. Selenium comes from the Greek word “Selene” meaning Moon.

3. Jon Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt?
• I think not!
• Selenium was discovered in 1817 by a Swedish
scientist named JÖns Jacob Berzelius; not as
catchy as Jingleheimer, but hey give credit
where credits due.

4. Properties
• Atomic Number: 34
• Atomic Weight: 78.96
• Melting Point: 493.65 K (220.5°C or 428.9°F)
• Boiling Point: 958 K (685°C or 1265°F)
• Density: 4.809 grams per cubic centimeter
• Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
• Element Classification: Non-metal
• Period Number: 4
• Group Number: 16
• Group Name: Chalcogen
• Color: Red in powder form and Black in solid form.

5. Isotopes?
• Selenium has 6 stable isotopes and 15 other
isotopes.
• Is among the Sulfur family.

6. What to do with all my Selenium…
• Copy Machines, Xerox, is the most common
use for selenium because the brighter the
light shown onto it the better it conducts
electricity.
• Solar cells, Stainless steel, and cameras also
use combinations of selenium.

7. Where oh where can my selenium be?
• Selenium is ranked 31st in universal
abundance, but is rarely ever found in nature
therefore it must be refined from copper.
• Because selenium is such a common trace
element we are able to refine it from such
combinations as Copper Sulfide (CuS)

8. Show me the MONEY…
• For a very small fee Selenium could be yours!
It costs about $300/lb. Not too bad if you’re a
millionaire!

9. Hungry? Grab a Selenium Bar?
• Some foods are very high in the element, but
should be eaten with caution.
– Brazil Nuts (Highest in content)
– Mixed Nuts
– Wheats (bread, rice, whole-grain)
– Fish (Tuna, swordfish)

10. Danger!
• Too much selenium in the body can give a
toxicity affect!
• Selenium is an anti-oxidant and is good for the
body, but like everything else too much of
something is a bad thing.
– The recommend consumption of selenium a day is
no more than 400 mcg.

11. Someone could use some Selenium
Shampoo!
• Here’s a fun fact for you, Selenium is also used
in Dandruff shampoo! So the next time you
have a dry scalp stop by your local grocery
store and pick up a bottle of shampoo
containing selenium sulfide. Just ask this guy if
you don’t believe me…
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHrUtKjcA
FE&feature=player_embedded

12. The End

13. • http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/34.html
• http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/seleniu
m.html
• http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele034.
html
• http://www.galleries.com/minerals/elements/
selenium/selenium.htm
• http://www.chemicool.com/elements/seleniu
m.html
• http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/selenium.p
hp