tellurium
Brittle oxygen-group element
Tellurium is a brittle, silvery-white metalloid element, atomic number 52.
It's rare in Earth's crust but used in alloys, semiconductors, and solar panels.
Compounds of tellurium give breath and sweat a distinctive garlic-like odor—an occupational hazard for workers who handle it.
Light-to-electricity converting
- thermoelectricHeat-to-electricity converting
- cadmium tellurideSemiconductor for solar cells
- dopingProhibited athletic drug use
- p-typeHole-majority charge carrier semiconductor
n-type · conductivity · bismuth telluride · solar cells · power generation · efficiency · junction
Compound containing element 52
- cadmium tellurideSemiconductor for solar cells
- bismuth tellurideChalcogenide thermoelectric compound
- reductionMaking something smaller
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
Intermediate conductivity element
- metalloidElement straddling two classes
- crystal structureOrdered atomic arrangement in solids
- trigonalThree-angled in form
- hexagonalSix-edged polygon's form
isotopes · atomic mass · valence electrons · electronegativity · abundance · discovery · rare earth · crust
Liable to shatter
- silvery-whitePale metallic sheen
- lustrousSoftly bright, reflective
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
- metallic sheenReflective surface quality
solid · melting point · boiling point · density · electrical conductivity · piezoelectric · photoconductor · amorphous
In short supply
- rare elementScarce atomic species
- byproductSecondary outcome of production
- preciousHighly esteemed, greatly valued
- miningExtracting earth's resources
Mixing metals together
- copper alloyCopper-based metal blend
- lead alloyMetal mixture containing plumbum
- machinabilityEase of machining
- castingShaping through liquid form
brass · bronze · corrosion resistance · workability · hardening
photovoltaic
Light-to-electricity converting
- thermoelectricHeat-to-electricity converting
- cadmium tellurideSemiconductor for solar cells
- dopingProhibited athletic drug use
p-type · n-type · conductivity · bismuth telluride · solar cells · power generation · efficiency · junction
telluride
Compound containing element 52
- cadmium tellurideSemiconductor for solar cells
- bismuth tellurideChalcogenide thermoelectric compound
- reductionMaking something smaller
semimetal
Intermediate conductivity element
- metalloidElement straddling two classes
- crystal structureOrdered atomic arrangement in solids
- trigonalThree-angled in form
hexagonal · isotopes · atomic mass · valence electrons · electronegativity · abundance · discovery · rare earth · crust
brittle
Liable to shatter
- silvery-whitePale metallic sheen
- lustrousSoftly bright, reflective
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
metallic sheen · solid · melting point · boiling point · density · electrical conductivity · piezoelectric · photoconductor · amorphous · powdery
scarce
In short supply
- rare elementScarce atomic species
- byproductSecondary outcome of production
- preciousHighly esteemed, greatly valued
mining · extraction · recycling · expensive
alloying
Mixing metals together
- copper alloyCopper-based metal blend
- lead alloyMetal mixture containing plumbum
- machinabilityEase of machining
casting · brass · bronze · corrosion resistance · workability · hardening
- elementsoxygen, hydrogen, carbon, helium, nitrogen
- main group elementshydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, boron
- cosmic modelsorrery, planetarium, solar system model, celestial sphere, armillary sphere
- metalloidsboron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony
- space modelsorrery, scale model, armillary sphere
- Chalcogenoxygen, sulfur, selenium, polonium