Element 52 · Metalloid
Tellurium (Te) — Element 52
Latin tellus — Earth
Tellurium (Te) is a metalloid in Period 5, Group 16 of the periodic table with atomic number 52, standard atomic weight 127.60 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴. At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 6 valence electrons and common oxidation states -2, +4, +6.
Solar cells, steel alloys
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Tellurium?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 52
- Standard atomic mass
- 127.60 u
- Chemical family
- Metalloid
- Ground-state configuration
- [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 18, 6
- Valence electrons
- 6
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- -2, +4, +6
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 2.10 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 869 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 123 pm
- Melting point
- 450 °C
- Boiling point
- 988 °C
- Discovery year
- 1782
- Table coordinate
- Period 5, Group 16
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Tellurium’s shells?
A neutral Tellurium atom contains 52 electrons distributed across 5 occupied principal energy shells ([Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴). The table below compares Tellurium’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Te | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
| n = 3 | M | 18 e⁻ | 18 e⁻ |
| n = 4 | N | 18 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
| n = 5 | O | 6 e⁻ | 50 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Tellurium (Te)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Tellurium (Te)?
Tellurium (Te) has atomic number Z = 52 (52 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 127.60 u. It sits in Period 5, Group 16 and is classified as a metalloid.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Tellurium?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Tellurium (Z = 52) is [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴. Across its 5 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 5), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 18, 6, with 6 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Tellurium?
Tellurium commonly forms -2, +4, +6 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 2.10 and its first ionization energy is 869 kJ/mol.
When was Tellurium discovered and what is it used for?
Tellurium was discovered in 1782 (Latin tellus — Earth). Solar cells, steel alloys
How does Tellurium compare to neighboring elements?
Other metalloid elements: