Tellurium is element number 52, with the symbol Te. Its name comes from tellus, the Latin word for “Earth.”
Atomic number 52127.6
TeTelluriumテルル (teruru)
Symbol
Te
Atomic weight
127.6
Place in the table
Period 5 · Group 16
Atomic weight from the Chemical Society of Japan, “Table of Standard Atomic Weights with Four Significant Figures (2026)”.
The Moon and the Earth
Tellurium was discovered in 1782. Selenium, found later in 1817, was named after the Moon because its vapor had a moon-like color.
On the periodic table, tellurium is directly below selenium. The Moon and the Earth line up in Group 16.
Where it sits on the table
Tellurium is in the fifth row of Group 16. From the top, the column goes oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, polonium.
Think about it
Q1Why do you think the element named for the Earth was found first?
Q2Find the elements named after the Sun, the Moon and the Earth on the periodic table.
Q3Can you name the Group 16 elements from top to bottom?
There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.
Did you know? — The elements named for heavenly bodies are helium (Sun), selenium (Moon) and tellurium (Earth). All three together is one of the fun parts of element names.