Iodine Facts for Kids

The Periodic Table - Iodine
  • Name: Iodine
  • Symbol: I
  • Atomic Number: 53
  • Atomic Weight: 126.90447 u
  • Period: 5
  • Group: 17 (halogen group)

25 Iodine Facts for Kids

  1. Iodine is a chemical element on the periodic table.
  2. Iodine is a shiny metal that has a metallic gray color.
  3. Iodine is named after the Greek word “iodes”, which translates to violet. It was given this name because when it was discovered on accident it was in a gas state, which has a violet color.
  4. Iodine was discovered in 1811 by French chemist Bernard Courtois.
  5. The symbol for iodine is I.
  6. The atomic number for iodine is 53.
  7. The standard atomic weight of iodine is 126.90447 u.
  8. Iodine is a solid at room temperature.
  9. Iodine is in the reactive nonmetal element category on the periodic table.
  10. Iodine is a period 5 chemical element, which is the fifth row on the periodic table.
  11. Iodine is a group 17 chemical element, which is the halogen group.
  12. Iodine is in the p-block on the periodic table.
  13. The electron configuration for iodine is [Kr] 10 5s2 5p5.
  14. The electrons per shell for iodine are 2, 8, 18, 18, 7.
  15. Iodine has one stable isotope.
  16. Iodine’s one stable isotope is 127I.
  17. The melting point for iodine is 236.66 °F (113.7 °C).
  18. The boiling point for iodine is 363.7 °F (184.3 °C).
  19. Iodine is used as an antiseptic to disinfect open wounds or to disinfect an area of skin prior to surgery.
  20. Potassium iodide can treat acute thyrotoxicosis, a medical condition of the human thyroid.
  21. Potassium tetraiodomercurate(II) is a chemical compound used to detect ammonia, also known as Nessler’s reagent.
  22. Iodine is an essential element for all living organisms.
  23. Iodine is the heaviest essential element needed by all living organisms.
  24. Table salt is iodized by mixing a tiny amount of iodine salts into it. This helps prevent iodine deficiency in humans.
  25. Iodine is lethal to humans at a dose of 13.6 mg/lb. This means if a human weighed 120 pounds a lethal dose of iodine would be around 1.6 grams.

Additional Resources on Iodine

  • Iodine (I) – Learn more about the chemical element iodine on the Los Alamos National Laboratory website.
  • Facts About Iodine – Find more facts about the chemical element iodine on the Live Science website.
  • Iodine Health Facts – Learn about the health benefits and risks of iodine on the National Health Institute website.
  • Iodine – Wikipedia – Discover more iodine facts, information and uses on the Wikipedia website.

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