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tellurium

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Tellurium is a chemical element with the symbol Te and atomic number 52. It is a brittle, silvery-white metalloid. Tellurium is chemically related to selenium and sulfur, all three of which are chalcogens.

Tellurium is not found in nature in its pure form. It is found in combination with other elements, such as gold, silver, and copper. The largest tellurium ore is calaverite, which is a telluride of gold.

Tellurium is used in a variety of applications, including:

  • Photocells: Tellurium is used in photocells because it can convert light into electricity.
  • Thermoelectric materials: Tellurium is used in thermoelectric materials because it can generate electricity from heat.
  • Pigments: Tellurium is used in pigments because it can give a variety of colours.
  • Other applications: Tellurium is also used in a variety of other applications, such as making rubber more durable and vulcanizing rubber.
  • Tellurium is a relatively rare element. The global production of tellurium is about 2,000 tonnes per year.

How can the word be used?

Tellurium is a rare element that is found in small amounts in nature.

tellurium

Different forms of the word

Noun:

a chemical element with the symbol Te and atomic number 52. It is a non-metal that is found in small amounts in nature.

Adjective:

relating to or containing tellurium.

Etymology

The word "tellurium" comes from the Latin word "tellus", which means "earth".

The first recorded use of the word "tellurium" was in 1782, by the Austrian mineralogist Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein. He discovered tellurium in a gold mine in Transylvania (now Zlatna, Romania).

The word "tellurium" is a New Latin word, which means that it was created by scientists. It is derived from the Latin word "tellus", which means "earth". This is because tellurium was first discovered in a mineral that was thought to be a form of sulfur.

Here are some other etymological details about the word "tellurium":

The Latin word "tellus" is also the root of the word "tellurian", which means "of or relating to the Earth".

The name "tellurium" is a reminder of the fact that the element is found in the Earth's crust.

Question

What can tellurium be used for?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Discuss the properties and applications of tellurium in the field of electronics. Explain how tellurium is used in photovoltaic solar cells and its contribution to renewable energy technologies. Provide an example of a device or system where tellurium-based components are commonly utilised.

Answer:

Tellurium, a semimetal element, plays a significant role in the field of electronics, particularly in photovoltaic solar cells. Its unique properties, including high electrical conductivity and photoconductivity, make it a valuable material for harnessing solar energy.

Tellurium is used in thin-film solar cells, where it is combined with other materials to create light-absorbing layers. In photovoltaic devices, tellurium helps convert sunlight into electricity by absorbing photons and releasing electrons, generating a flow of electrical current. This technology is a key driver of renewable energy efforts, as photovoltaic solar cells provide an environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source.

An example of tellurium's application is in the production of cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar panels. In these panels, a thin layer of CdTe absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity. CdTe solar panels are widely used due to their efficiency, low cost, and ease of manufacturing.

The integration of tellurium into solar cell technology illustrates the role of materials science in advancing renewable energy solutions. By enabling the efficient conversion of solar energy into electricity, tellurium-based components contribute to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating environmental impacts, paving the way for a more sustainable and cleaner energy future.