Element Family
Post-Transition
Actinide
Space Group Name
Pm-3m
P63/mmc
Interesting Facts
- 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.
- X-ray Diffraction- different compounds of Berkelium metals are identified using it.
Commercial uses of Berkelium metal are not yet discovered.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Bombarding Americium with Alpha Particles.
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Discovery
In 1898
In 1949
Abundance In Meteorites
-
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Uses & Benefits
- 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.
- This metal is very rare and has no commercial uses.
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, Solubility
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Radioactivity
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Rn] 5f9 7s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Double Hexagonal Close Packed (DHCP)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
DHCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Berkelium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, π/2
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
-
-
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor