Tellurium
A chemical element, in the periodic table tellurium has the symbol Te and atomic number 52.
Tellurium was discovered in 1783 by Franz Joseph Muller von Reichstein in Romania. The name is derived from the Latin tellus, meaning "earth". Its melting point is 722.66 K, its boiling point is 1261 K, and its density is 6.24 g/cm3.
Tellurium looks rather like tin, but is not a Metal.
The principal source of tellurium is as a byproduct of copper extraction. It is mostly used in alloys with other metals. It is added to lead to improve its strength and durability, and in steel and copper it makes the metals more workable. Tellurium is also used in blasting caps, and has potential applications in solar panels. Humans exposed to as little as 0.01 mg/m3 or less in air develop "tellurium breath", which has a garlic-like odour.
Tellurium is in the same series as sulphur and selenium and forms similar compounds. A compound with metal or hydrogen and similar ions is called a telluride. Gold and silver tellurides are considered good ore.
External Link:
Los Alamos National Laboratory's Chemistry Division: Periodic Table -
See: Periodic Table