Germanium - 32Ge: reactions of elements
Reaction of germanium with air
The surface of lumps of germanium is protected by a very thin layer of germanium dioxide, GeO2. It is more reactive than silicon, which is immediately above germanium in the periodic table, but not by much. At red heat, germanium reacts with oxygen in air to from germanium dioxide.
Ge(s) + O2(g) → GeO2(s)
Reaction of germanium with water
The surface of lumps of germanium is protected by a very thin layer of germanium dioxide, GeO2. It is more reactive than silicon, which is immediately above germanium in the periodic table, but not by much. This oxide layer renders germanium more or less inert to water.