tellurium

/te'ljuəriəm/

Thân thiện

A scientist holds a small sample of tellurium in a laboratory.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A brittle silver-white metalloid element: Tellurium is a chemical element with properties between metals and nonmetals. It is related to selenium and sulfur in the periodic table.
   • An element used in alloys and semiconductors: It is utilized in metallurgy to improve the properties of alloys and in electronics as a semiconductor material.
   • An element occurring in ores: It is found in nature primarily combined with other elements (as tellurides) in ores of copper, nickel, silver, and gold.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tellurium is added to lead to increase its strength and corrosion resistance.
  • The semiconductor properties of tellurium are critical for certain electronic devices.
  • The geologist identified traces of tellurium in the silver ore sample.

Advanced Usage

• "Tellurium dioxide": A compound of tellurium and oxygen (TeO₂), used in optical glass and as a catalyst.

  • Tellurium dioxide is a key component in some types of glass that block infrared radiation.

• "Tellurium copper": An alloy of copper and tellurium, known for its excellent machinability.

  • Tellurium copper is often used for electrical connectors due to its easy machining and good conductivity.

Variants and Related Words

• Telluride (n): A compound of tellurium with another more electropositive element or group.

  • Cadmium telluride is used in some solar panels.

• Tellurous (adj): Containing tellurium in a lower valence state.

  • Tellurous acid is a chemical compound with the formula H₂TeO₃.

• Tellurian (adj): Pertaining to or inhabiting the earth. (Note: This is a different, rare word derived from Latin tellus for "earth," not directly from the element tellurium, but they share an etymological root).

  • The science fiction novel described tellurian life forms.

Synonyms

• Element 52: Referring to its atomic number.
• Te: Its chemical symbol.

Related Phrases

(This word, as a specific chemical element, does not commonly form phrasal verbs or idioms in general English. Its usage is primarily technical.)

Học thuật

Noun

1. a brittle silver-white metalloid element that is related to selenium and sulfur; it is used in alloys and as a semiconductor; occurs mainly as tellurides in ores of copper and nickel and silver and gold

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Te
• atomic number 52