Selenium dioxide facts for kids
Selenium dioxide, also called selenious oxide, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is SeO2. It contains the element selenium and oxide parts. This compound is toxic, so it must be handled with care.
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What Is Selenium Dioxide?
Selenium dioxide is a white, solid substance. It can easily turn into a gas, which means it evaporates quickly. When it evaporates, the vapor has a strong smell, often compared to horseradish sauce. This smell can be irritating to your nose.
How It Reacts
When selenium dioxide dissolves in water, it forms a substance called selenous acid. It also reacts with bases (which are the opposite of acids) to create other compounds known as selenites.
How Is It Made?
Scientists and chemists can make selenium dioxide in a few different ways:
- One way is by burning selenium in the air.
- Another method is to mix selenium with nitric acid or hydrogen peroxide.
- You can also make it by heating selenous acid.
Where Is It Found?
Selenium dioxide is very rare to find naturally as a mineral. It usually only appears in places where coal has caught fire. In these areas, other selenium compounds called selenides get changed by the heat and air into selenium dioxide.
What Is It Used For?
Selenium dioxide has a few interesting uses:
- It is used in organic chemistry to help make different types of organic compounds. These are chemicals that contain carbon.
- It is also used to color glass. For example, if glass has cobalt in it, it will look blue. Adding a small amount of selenium dioxide can make that blue glass clear and colorless.
- If you add more selenium dioxide, the glass can even turn a beautiful ruby red color!
Staying Safe with Selenium Dioxide
It is very important to be careful around selenium dioxide.
- When it dissolves in water, it creates toxic selenium compounds.
- Swallowing even a tiny amount can lead to selenium poisoning, which is very dangerous.
- Selenium dioxide is not highly flammable and won't easily cause fires. However, its toxicity is the main safety concern.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Dióxido de selenio para niños
