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Atomic: M.A.C. | Reference
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Tellurium
Electron Configuration 2,8,18,18,6
Electron Configuration [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p4
Ground state 3P2
Atomic Volume 20.5 g/cm3
Electronegativity 2.1
Magnetic ordering Non-magnetic
Mass magnetic susceptibility -3.9 x 10-9
Molar magnetic susceptibility -4.98 x 10-10
Speed of sound 2610 m s-1
Thermal Properties
Enthalpy of Atomization 190.4 kJ mol-1 @25°C
Enthalpy of Fusion 13.5 kJ mol-1
Enthalpy of Vaporisation 104.6 kJ mol-1
Heat Capacity 25.73 J mol-1 K-1
Thermal Conductivity 1.97 - 3.38 W m-1 K-1
Thermal Expansion No data.
Hardness
Brinell hardness 180 MPa
Mohs hardness 2.25
Elastic Properties
Bulk modulus 65 GPa
Shear modulus 16 GPa
Young's modulus 43 GPa
Electrical Properties
Electrical resistivity No data.
Electrical conductivity No data.
Chemical Properties
Electrochemical Equivalent 1.1902 g Ah-1
Electron Work Function 4.95 eV
Valence Electron Potential (-eV) 59
Ionization Potential  
First 9.009
Second 18.6
Third 27.96
Incompatibilities Oxidizers, chlorine, cadmium.
Flammability
Combustible Solid
Optical Properties
Refractive Index (gas) 1.000991
Reflectivity %
Energy Levels
Kα1 (intensity 100) 27.4723 KeV
Kα2 (intensity 50) 27.2017 KeV
Kβ1 (intensity 19.7) 30.9957 KeV
Kβ2 (intensity 5.7) 31.6947 KeV
Kβ3 (intensity 8.6) 30.9388 KeV
Lα1 (intensity 100) 3.76933 KeV
Lα2 (intensity 10) 3.7588 KeV
Lβ1 (intensity 51.3) 4.02958 KeV
Lβ2 (intensity 16.3) 4.3017 KeV
Lβ3 (intensity 5.8) 4.1192 KeV
Lβ4 (intensity 4) 4.0684 KeV
Lγ1 (intensity 5.6) 4.5709 KeV
Lγ2 (intensity 2) 4.8253 KeV
Lγ3 (intensity 2) 3.604 KeV
Ll (intensity 4.5) 3.3344 KeV
Atomic Radii
Empirical 140 pm
Bohr Radius 123 pm
Covalent Radius 135 pm
Van der Waals 206 pm
Triple covalent 121 pm
Metallic No data.
Ionic Radii (Å)
Charge Coordination Crystal Ionic Key
-2  VI 2.07 2.21 P
III 0.66 0.52
IV 0.8 0.66
VI 1.11 0.97
IV 0.57 0.43 C
VI 0.7 0.56 *
R, From r3 vs V plots.
C, Calculated from bond length - bond strength equations.
E, Estimated.
*, Most Reliable.
M, From Metallic Oxides.
A, Ahrens (1952) Ionic radius.
P, Pauling's (1960) Crystal Radius.
Oxidation States
Main Te+4
Other Te-2, Te-1, Te0, Te+2, Te+5, Te+6
Ionisation Energies (kJ mol-1) show graph
M - M+ 869.2
M+ - M2+ 1795
M2+ - M3+ 2698
M3+ - M4+ 3610
M4+ - M5+ 5668
M5+ - M6+ 6822
M6+ - M7+ 13200
M7+ - M8+ 15800
M8+ - M9+ 18500
M9+ - M10+ 21200
Covalent Bonds (kJ mol-1)
Te-H 240
Te-O 268
Te-F 335
Te-Cl 251
Te-Te 235
Vapour Pressure
P (Pa) 1 10 100 1K 10K 100K
T (K) (775) (888) 1042 1266
Crystal Structure
Structure Trigonal
a = 445.72 pm
b = 445.72 pm
c = 592.9 pm
α = 90°
β = 90°
γ = 120°