Element Family
Post-Transition
Alkali
Space Group Name
Pm-3m
Im_ 3m
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.
- In the list of most abundant element Potassium is ranked 7th.
- Potassium can easily be sliced (chopped) down using knife.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Found in Minerals, Mining
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Humphry Davy
Discovery
In 1898
In 1807
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.
- Potassium’s compounds are in high demand for their application in Fertilizer manufacturing.
- Potassium carbonate is used in glass manufacturing and Potassium carbonate in manufacturing detergent and body wash.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Ammunition Industry, Chemical Industry
Medical Uses
-
Pharmaceutical Industry
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Toxic
Present in Human Body
No
Yes
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silver
Silvery Gray
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
Chemical Stability, Flammability, Ionization, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Ar] 4s1
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Body Centered Cubic (BCC)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
BCC-Crystal-Structure-.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
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor