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The element iodine

Tube of iodine showing sublimation of solid iodine.

Iodine, a solid at room temperature, is element number 53 on the periodic table. When gently heated it sublimes into a purple vapour as seen here. Iodine is an essential element in the diet, too little can result in the medical condition goitre. Using iodised salt is one way of making it available to the body.

Glossary

Rights: Wisewire, CC BY 2.0
Published: 17 September 2009Updated: 14 August 2025Size: 5.72 MB
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