Element Family
Post-Transition
Lanthanide
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.
- Cerium is a rare earth metal but still it is not rare at all.
- It’s non-toxic compound Cerium sulfide has a rich red color and it is used as a pigment.
- Cerium metal is also used in Flat screen TVs, light bulb, floodlights, etc.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Found in Minerals, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Martin Heinrich Klaproth, Jöns Jakob Berzelius, Wilhelm Hisinger
Discovery
In 1898
In 1803
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 used to include flints for cigarette lighters.
- Its compound Cerium (Ill) Oxide is used as a catalyst; it is put inside the walls of the oven as it prevents from the buildup of cooking residues.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Chemical Industry
Medical Uses
-
Medical Research
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Moderately Toxic
Present in Human Body
No
Yes
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
Chemical Stability, Anti Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Xe] 4f1 5d1 6s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Double Hexagonal Close Packed (DHCP)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
DHCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Cerium.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
-
Ductile, Malleable
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor