Tellurium (Te) - Element 52 | Properties & Electron Configuration

What is Tellurium?

Tellurium (Te) is element 52, a metalloid in period 5, group 16. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴.

Atomic Number52
SymbolTe
Atomic Mass127.6 u
CategoryMetalloid
Period5
Group16
Blockp
Electron Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴
Short Config[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴
Electronegativity2.1
Atomic Radius137 pm
Ionization Energy869 kJ/mol
Electron Affinity190 kJ/mol
Phase (STP)Solid

Electron Configuration

The full electron configuration of Tellurium is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴. In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴.

Tellurium is a p-block element in group 16, period 5.

Periodic Trends

Electronegativity: Tellurium has a Pauling electronegativity of 2.1. Within group 16, electronegativity generally decreases down the group.

Atomic Radius: 137 pm. Across period 5, atomic radius generally decreases left to right as nuclear charge increases.

Ionization Energy: 869 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.

View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.

Explore Tellurium on the Interactive Periodic Table

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