52Te127.6
Tellurium
MetalloidsIn-between elements with some metal and some non-metal properties. Many are semiconductors.
[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴
- Atomic number
- 52
- Atomic mass
- 127.6
- Protons
- 52
- Neutrons
- 76 (most common)
- Electrons
- 52
- Shells
- 2, 8, 18, 18, 6
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Group 16, period 5
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byFranz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein, 1782Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein: 1 element
Müller found it in gold ore from Transylvania. Klaproth named it in 1798 from the Latin tellus, meaning Earth.
Did you know?
- It is one of the rarest elements in Earth's crust.
- Swallowing tiny amounts gives people a strong garlic smell on their breath.
Where it's found
- Copper ores, as a by-product
What it's used for
- Cadmium telluride solar panels
- Rewritable discs
- Alloys
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Tellurium. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.