Element Family
Post-Transition
Actinide
Space Group Name
Pm-3m
P121/m1
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.
- Plutonium metal if obtain from ores of uranium metal.
- Plutonium metal is very sensitive to the change in atmospheric conditions like temperature and pressure.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Mining, Ores of metals
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Glenn T. Seaborg, Arthur Wahl, Joseph W. Kennedy, Edwin McMillan
Discovery
In 1898
In Between 1940 1941
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.
- Plutonium was used in atomic bombs and still it is being used in various weapons and Ammunition industry.
-
It is also used in nuclear power plant as source of energy for space missions.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Toxic
Present in Human Body
No
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silver
Silvery White
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, Radioactivity
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Rn] 5f6 7s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Monoclinic (MON)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Plutonium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, π/2
-
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
-
Ductile, Malleable
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Poor Conductor