Element Family
Post-Transition
Alkaline Earth
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.
- Barium oxidizes very easily in the air.
- All toxic compounds of Barium can easily dissolve in water.
- Barium carbonate is used to produce a Rat poison and its other compound Barium nitrate is used in fireworks to produce green color.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Earth's crust, Found in Minerals, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Carl Wilhelm Scheele
Discovery
In 1898
In 1772
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.
- It is sued in chemical paint manufacturing and glass manufacturing.
-
Compounds of this metal are toxic; but still the barium sulfate is insoluble and given to patients suffering from digestive disorder.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Ammunition Industry, Automobile Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Low 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
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Radioactivity, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Xe] 6s2
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
Superconductor