Tellurium (Te): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Tellurium (Te): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p4 · group 16 · period 5 · Ar 127.6
Tellurium data
- Atomic number
- 52
- Relative atomic mass
- 127.6
- Group
- 16
- Period
- 5
- Block
- p
- Category
- Metalloid
- Electron configuration
- [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p4
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p4
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 18, 6 (K L M N O)
- Valence electrons
- 6
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 2.1
- First ionisation energy
- 9.01 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 206 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 450 °C
- Boiling point
- 988 °C
- Density
- 6.232 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +6, +4, −2
- Discovered
- 1782
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 18 · O 6
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About tellurium
With atomic number 52, tellurium (Te) has 52 protons in its nucleus and 52 electrons as a neutral atom. It is a metalloid in group 16, period 5, p-block. Tellurium was first discovered in 1782. Tellurium is a solid at room temperature, melting at 450 °C and boiling at 988 °C.
Tellurium electron configuration
The electron configuration of tellurium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p4, or in short [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p4. Its electrons occupy 5 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 18, O = 6. Tellurium has 6 valence electrons in the O shell (5s2 5p4), which is why it sits in group 16.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p4(52)
Uses of tellurium
In industry and the laboratory, tellurium turns up in many places, for example CdTe solar cells, thermoelectric devices (Bi2Te3) and steel and copper alloys. For research and analysis you can browse tellurium compounds in the AMI Scientific catalogue.
Safety
Tellurium compounds are toxic; even mild exposure gives the breath a garlic-like smell. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other elements in group 16
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of tellurium?
The electron configuration of tellurium (Te, atomic number 52) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p4, or [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p4 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 18, 6.
How many valence electrons does tellurium have?
Tellurium has 6 valence electrons.
Which group and period is tellurium in?
Tellurium is in group 16, period 5, p-block.
What is the atomic mass of tellurium?
The relative atomic mass of tellurium is 127.6. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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