Arsenic Facts

To continue the introduction above, Arsenic is a highly poisonous metallic element with three allotropic forms, v.i.z. yellow, black and gray. Among these, the gray is the most common. It was already discovered by the ancient Asians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese in the ancient times. However, Albertus Magnus, a German Dominican, isolated Arsenic in 1250. Arsenic has been classified under Metalloid elements and can be found in Groups 13,14, 15, 16 and 17 of the Mendeleev's Periodic Table. The fact why Arsenic is considered a Metalloid element is because it bears the properties of both metals and non metals.

Facts About Arsenic

Symbol - As
Atomic Number (No. of protons or electrons) - 33
Atomic Mass - 74.9216 amu
Density @ 293 K - 5.72 g/cm3
Electronic Configuration - [Ar]4s2 3d10 4p3
Melting Point (the temperature below which a liquid turns into a solid) - 817.0 °C - 1090.15 °K
Boiling Point (the temperature at which a liquid boils at sea level) - 613.0 °C - 886.15 °K
Specific Heat (the heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance one degree centigrade) (@20°C J/g mol) - 0.328
First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol) - 946.2
Ionic Radius: 46 (+5e) 222 (-3e)
Lattice Structure - Rhombohedral
Atomic Radius (pm) - 139

# Arsenic has been attributed to be the 'Kings of Poisons' and its high level toxicity makes it a potent wood preservative against insects, bacteria and fungi. For the same reason it is also used in insecticides, poison, weed killers, etc.

# The 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries saw the application of Arsenic in the form of medicines. Most common were arsphenamine and arsenic trioxide. The former medication was prescribed for syphilis and trypanosomiasis. While, the later one was found useful in treating cancer.

# Several solid state devices use Arsenic as a doping agent. Lasers which are employed for converting electricity into coherent light, also use Arsenic in the form of Gallium arsenide.

# Pyrotechny is defined as the craft of making fireworks and this procedure uses Arsenic for hardening and improving the sphericity (the roundness of a 3-dimensional object) of bullets and in bronzing.

# Arsenic is found in its native state and the most common mineral which bears it, is known as Arsenopyrite, also called Mispickel (FeSAs). This mineral can be heated to derive sublime Arsenic leaving ferrous sufide. Although Arsenopyrite is the main economical source of Arsenic, arsenides of metals such as silver, cobalt and nickel, as sulfides. Apart from all these inorganic forms, the element can also be found in food, water, soil and air.

Some common side effects of arsenic positioning may include:

• Agitation
• Constipation
• Darkening of skin
• Drowsiness
• Mouth
• Earache
• Poor appetite
• Headache
• Increased sweating
• Mouth sores
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight loss
• Flushing
• Nausea
• Nosebleed
• Pale skin
• Post nasal drip
• Agitation
• Tinnitus
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Tightness in the chest
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Confusion
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Rapid breathing
• Seizures
• Tremors
• Increased thirst
• Fainting
• Decreased urination
• Anxiety
• Irregular pulse
• Dry eyes
• Skin lesions
• Sore throat
• Allergic reactions
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Spitting up of blood
• Sudden weight gain
• Swollen ankles, feet or hands
• Wheezing

To add to the above facts, the word 'Arsenic' was borrowed from the Syriac word 'zarniqa'. It was also borrowed from the word 'Zarnikh', which means 'yellow orpiment'. It is related to the word 'arsenikos', which is a Greek word and means 'masculine' or 'potent'.