Element Family
Post-Transition
Alkaline Earth
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.
- Beryllium is best anti corrosion metal.
- Beryllium is the lightest metal and still it is stronger than steel.
- It also finds various applications in Nuclear reactors as a reflector.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Earth's crust, Found in Minerals, Mining, Ores of metals, Ores of Minerals
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Louis Nicolas Vauquelin
Discovery
In 1898
In 1797
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.
- Its alloys with copper or nickel are used in manufacturing Gyroscopes, springs, electrical contact and non sparking tools.
- Beryllium Alloys are used as a material for aircraft, missiles, spacecraft and satellite.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry, Automobile Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Toxic
Present in Human Body
No
Yes
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
Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[He] 2s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
HCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Beryllium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, π/2
π/2, π/2, π/2
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
-
-
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Diamagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Semiconductor