Element Family
Actinide
Post-Transition
Space Group Name
P63/mmc
Pm-3m
Interesting Facts
- X-ray Diffraction- different compounds of Berkelium metals are identified using it.
Commercial uses of Berkelium metal are not yet discovered.
- Polonium was the first radioactive element to be discovered.
- Polonium element and its compounds are highly radioactive.
- Its alloy with Beryllium provides source of neutrons.
Sources
Bombarding Americium with Alpha Particles.
Mining, Ores of metals
Who Discovered
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Discovery
In 1949
In 1898
Abundance In Meteorites
-
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Uses & Benefits
- This metal is very rare and has no commercial uses.
- Polonium metal has different Allotropes, it is used in antistatic devices and for research purpose.
- A 1 gram of Polonium can reach a temperature of 500°C, hence it is used as a heat source for space equipment.
Industrial Uses
-
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Present in Human Body
No
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
α Allotropes
-
α-polonium
β Allotropes
-
β-polonium
Pauling Electronegativity
Sanderson Electronegativity
Allred Rochow Electronegativity
Mulliken-Jaffe Electronegativity
Pauling Electropositivity
Electrochemical Equivalent
Other Chemical Properties
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Radioactivity
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Rn] 5f9 7s2
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
Crystal Structure
Double Hexagonal Close Packed (DHCP)
Monoclinic (MON)
Crystal Lattice
DHCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Berkelium.jpg#100
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
π/2, π/2, π/2
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
-
-
Magnetic Ordering
Paramagnetic
Nonmagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor