Tellurium (Te)

General Information

• Symbol: Te
• Atomic Number: 52
• Atomic Weight: 127.60 u
• Element Category: Metalloid
• Group: 16
• Period: 5
• Block: p-block

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Silvery-white, brittle solid with a metallic luster
• Density: 6.24 g/cm³
• Melting Point: 449.51 °C (841.12 °F)
• Boiling Point: 988 °C (1810 °F)
• Phase at STP: Solid
• Electron Configuration: [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴
• Oxidation States: +6, +4, -2 (most common)

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Tellurium is relatively stable in air, but it reacts with halogens and certain acids.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as tellurium dioxide (TeO₂), telluric acid (H₂TeO₄), and tellurium hexafluoride (TeF₆).

Uses and Applications

• Metallurgy: Used to improve the machinability of copper and stainless steel.
• Electronics: Utilized in semiconductor technology, particularly in cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells and thermoelectric devices.
• Alloys: Added to lead to improve its strength and durability, commonly used in batteries.
• Chemistry: Used in chemical synthesis and as a vulcanizing agent in rubber production.
• Glass and Ceramics: Employed to color glass and ceramics and to create optical storage media.

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Rare in the Earth’s crust, typically found in ores with other elements such as gold, silver, and copper.
• Extraction: Extracted as a byproduct of copper refining through processes such as electrolytic refining and chemical precipitation.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Tellurium-120, Tellurium-122, Tellurium-123, Tellurium-124, Tellurium-125, Tellurium-126, Tellurium-128, Tellurium-130
• Radioactive Isotopes: Tellurium-121m, Tellurium-127 (used in scientific research)

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Tellurium and its compounds are toxic; ingestion or inhalation can cause health issues, including tellurium breath (a garlic-like odor).
• Precautions: Handle with care, using appropriate protective equipment to avoid exposure.

History

• Discovery: Discovered by Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein in 1782.
• Name Origin: Named after the Latin word “tellus,” meaning Earth.

Additional Facts

• Crystal Structure: Hexagonal
• Magnetic Properties: Diamagnetic
• Thermal Conductivity: Low, about 2.35 W/m·K
• Electrical Resistivity: About 1×10⁻³ Ω·m at room temperature

Summary

Tellurium is a metalloid known for its applications in metallurgy, electronics, and chemical synthesis. It is relatively rare and extracted primarily as a byproduct of copper refining. Tellurium has several stable isotopes and is used in various high-tech applications, including solar cells and thermoelectric devices. Due to its toxicity, it must be handled with care.

40 Question and Answer Pairs About Tellurium

1. What is the atomic number of Tellurium?

   • 52

2. What is the symbol for Tellurium?

   • Te

3. What is the atomic weight of Tellurium?

   • 127.60 u

4. In which group of the periodic table is Tellurium found?

   • Group 16

5. What period is Tellurium in?

   • Period 5

6. What block does Tellurium belong to?

   • p-block

7. What is the melting point of Tellurium?

   • 449.51 °C (841.12 °F)

8. What is the boiling point of Tellurium?

   • 988 °C (1810 °F)

9. What is the density of Tellurium?

   • 6.24 g/cm³

10. What is the electron configuration of Tellurium?

    • [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴

11. What are the common oxidation states of Tellurium?

    • +6, +4, -2

12. What is the appearance of Tellurium?

    • Silvery-white, brittle solid with a metallic luster

13. Is Tellurium reactive with air?

    • Relatively stable in air

14. Name a compound of Tellurium.

    • Tellurium dioxide (TeO₂)

15. What is a common use of Tellurium in metallurgy?

    • To improve the machinability of copper and stainless steel

16. How is Tellurium used in electronics?

    • In semiconductor technology, such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells

17. What role does Tellurium play in alloys?

    • Added to lead to improve strength and durability

18. How is Tellurium used in chemical synthesis?

    • As a vulcanizing agent in rubber production

19. What application does Tellurium have in glass production?

    • Used to color glass and ceramics

20. Name a mineral that contains Tellurium.

    • Often found in ores with gold, silver, and copper

21. How is Tellurium extracted from ores?

    • As a byproduct of copper refining

22. What is the most stable isotope of Tellurium?

    • Tellurium-128

23. Name a radioactive isotope of Tellurium used in research.

    • Tellurium-127

24. What safety hazard is associated with Tellurium?

    • Toxic, can cause health issues

25. How should Tellurium be handled?

    • With care, using appropriate protective equipment

26. Who discovered Tellurium?

    • Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein

27. Where does the name Tellurium come from?

    • From the Latin word “tellus,” meaning Earth

28. What is the crystal structure of Tellurium?

    • Hexagonal

29. Is Tellurium paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

    • Diamagnetic

30. What is the thermal conductivity of Tellurium?

    • About 2.35 W/m·K

31. What is the electrical resistivity of Tellurium at room temperature?

    • About 1×10⁻³ Ω·m

32. What is the primary oxidation state of Tellurium?

    • -2

33. Is Tellurium found as a free element in nature?

    • Rarely, it is usually found in ores

34. What is the common name of tellurium hexafluoride?

    • TeF₆

35. What is a major application of tellurium dioxide (TeO₂)?

    • Used in acousto-optic devices

36. How does Tellurium benefit semiconductors?

    • Enhances the properties of semiconductor materials

37. What is the boiling point of Tellurium in Kelvin?

    • 1261 K

38. What group does Tellurium belong to in the periodic table?

    • Metalloids

39. What is the natural abundance of Tellurium-128?

    • About 31.74%

40. Can Tellurium be used in high-temperature applications?

    • Yes, in specific alloys and electronic devices