Definition of the Tellurium Element
A brittle, silvery-white metallic element usually found in combination with Gold and other metals. When burned in air tellurium has a greenish-blue flame and forms tellurium dioxide as a result.
Tellurium is unaffected by water or hydrochloric acid, but dissolves in nitric acid. It is produced commercially as a by-product of the electrolytic refining of Copper and used to alloy stainless steel and Lead, in ceramics, and, in the form of bismuth telluride, in thermoelectric devices. The Atomic Number of this element is 52 and the Element Symbol is Te.
Origin / Meaning of the name Tellurium
The name originates from the Greek word 'tellus' meaning Earth
Periodic Table Group and Classification of the of the Tellurium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Tellurium is classified as a "Metalloid" element and is located in Groups 13, 14,15, 16 and 17 of the Periodic Table. An element classified as one of the Metalloids has the properties of both metals and Non-Metals. Some are semi-conductors and can carry an electrical charge making them useful in calculators and computers.
Facts about the Discovery and History of the Tellurium Element
Tellurium was discovered by Franz-Joseph Muller von Reichenstein in 1782 in Romania. It was isolated by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1798.
Occurrence of the Tellurium Element
Obtained from a by-product of refining of lead and copper
Principal source of tellurium is from anode msds
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 9×10-7%
% in Sun N/A
% in Meteorites 0.00021%
% in Earth's Crust 9.9×10-8%
% in Oceans N/A
% in Humans N/A
Associated Uses of Tellurium
Ceramics
Bismuth telluride
Thermoelectric devices
Coloring of glass
Msds tellurium dioxide
