Tellurium

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Tellurium

Tellurium (te-ˈlur-ē-əm) is a chemical element with the symbol Te and atomic number 52. It is a brittle, mildly toxic, rare, silver-white metalloid. Tellurium is chemically related to selenium and sulfur, all three of which are chalcogens. It is occasionally found in native form as elemental crystals.

Etymology

The term "Tellurium" comes from the Latin word for "earth", tellus. It was discovered in 1782 by the Austrian scientist Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein.

Properties

Tellurium is a semiconductor that shows a greater electrical conductivity in certain directions depending on atomic alignment; the conductivity increases slightly when exposed to light (photoconductivity). When molten, tellurium is corrosive to copper, iron, and stainless steel.

Uses

Commercially, tellurium is primarily used in alloys, most notably in steel and copper to improve machinability. Applications in solar panels and as a material used in rewritable optical discs (DVDs, CDs) are two of a multitude of uses for this element.

Health effects

Humans exposed to as little as 0.01 mg/m³ or less in air exude a foul garlic-like odor in their breath, sweat and urine. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious health problems such as sleep disorders, loss of appetite and nervous disorders.

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