Element Family
Lanthanide
Post-Transition
Space Group Name
P63/mmc
Pm-3m
Interesting Facts
- Lanthanum metal is highly malleable, ductile and sectile.
- If exposed to air Lanthanum metal oxidizes rapidly.
- 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
Found in Minerals, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Mining, Ores of metals
Who Discovered
Carl Gustaf Mosander
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Discovery
In 1838
In 1898
Abundance In Meteorites
-
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Uses & Benefits
- It has no commercial uses, but its alloys are in high demand. Lanthanum and Nickel alloy is used for the hydrogen gas storage.
- The best-known use for mischmetal alloy of Lanthanum is; as a ‘flints’ for cigarette lighters.
- 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
Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Other Uses
Alloys, Mirror Manufacturing
Alloys
Toxicity
Low Toxic
Highly Toxic
Present in Human Body
Yes
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silvery White
Silver
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, Solubility
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 5d2 6s2
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
Crystal Structure
Double Hexagonal Close Packed (DHCP)
Monoclinic (MON)
Crystal Lattice
DHCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Lanthanum.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
Ductile
-
Magnetic Ordering
Paramagnetic
Nonmagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor