Bust of Berzelius in selenium, 1862

Made:
1862
Bust of Berzelius in selenium

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Bust of Berzelius in selenium
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Bust of Berzelius in selenium. Berzelius discovered selenium in Sweden in 1817. From the International Exhibition of 1862

An oval medallion cast in selenium, showing a relief profile of the Swedish chemist Jons Jacob Berzelius who discovered selenium.This element is a semi-conductor whose electrical conductivity increases when light falls on it.Temperature measurement devices, which base their action on registering the amonnt of light emitted by a hot material, rely on selenium. Berzelius also discovered the elements thorium and cerium and was the first to isolate others. He introduced modern symbols, an electro-chemical theory and his accurate determination of atomic weights established the laws of combination and John Dalton's atomic theory. His great work was rewarded with the gold medal of the Royal Society.

Details

Category:
Metallurgy
Object Number:
1889-164/2424
Materials:
selenium
type:
medal and selenium
credit:
John Percy Collection