Is tellurium a metal?

Tellurium is a metalloid, which means it shows properties of both metals and nonmetals.

How many protons does tellurium have?

Tellurium has 52 protons. Its atomic number is 52, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of tellurium.

What group and period is tellurium in?

Tellurium is in group 16 and period 5 of the periodic table, in the p-block.

What is the atomic mass of tellurium?

The atomic mass of tellurium is 127.6 u (unified atomic mass units).

Element 52

Tellurium (Te)

Metalloid · Period 5 · Group 16 · p-block

Tellurium (Te) is element 52 of the periodic table, a metalloid in period 5, group 16 (p-block) with an atomic mass of 127.6 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number: 52
Symbol: Te
Atomic mass: 127.6 u
Category: Metalloids
Period: 5
Group: 16
Block: p-block
Phase at STP: solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p4
Shorthand configuration: [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p4
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 18, 6
Oxidation states: -2, -1, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6

Physical properties

Melting point: 722.66 K (449.51 °C)
Boiling point: 1,261 K (987.85 °C)
Density: 6.232 g/cm³
Phase: solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling): 2.1
Atomic radius: 123 pm
Covalent radius: 138 pm
Van der Waals radius: 206 pm
First ionization energy: 869 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 190 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Tellurium: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
Isotope	Mass	Abundance	Stability
Te-130	129.90622	34.08%	Stable

Common uses

Solar cells
Thermoelectric devices
Metallurgy
Rubber

Discovery

Year: 1783
Discovered by: Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein
Country: Romania

Frequently asked questions

Is tellurium a metal?: Tellurium is a metalloid, which means it shows properties of both metals and nonmetals.
How many protons does tellurium have?: Tellurium has 52 protons. Its atomic number is 52, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of tellurium.
What group and period is tellurium in?: Tellurium is in group 16 and period 5 of the periodic table, in the p-block.
What is the atomic mass of tellurium?: The atomic mass of tellurium is 127.6 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Tellurium's row is on the printable element property sheet, and its tile is on the periodic table wall chart - the same numbers as above, laid out for A4 or A3 paper.