Tellurium

Symbol: Te

Atomic Number: 52

Atomic Weight: 127.60

Tellurium (atomic number 52, symbol Te) is an element and metalloid (semi-metal) with a silvery white color. It was discovered in 1782 by the mining engineer and mineralogist Franz-Joseph Muller. Pal Kitaibel, a Hungarian chemist and botanist discovered it independently in 1789. It was first isolated by Martin H. Klaproth. The substance was observed in the 17th century, but scientists were unable to isolate it since it showed both non-metallic and metallic properties. The name of the element comes from the word tellus (Earth in Latin). Tellurium and its compounds were studied in detail by the Swedish chemist...Read More