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.
- Erbium metal is used as alloyed with Vanadium to make it softer.
- Recent studies shows that it is helpful for metabolism.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Mining
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Carl Gustaf Mosander
Discovery
In 1898
In 1842
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 has a tendency to get tarnished in the open air, but when alloyed with elements like erbium, vanadium, its hardness levels decreases.
- Its compounds like Erbium oxide is used in safety glasses of welders and metal workers.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Chemical Industry
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Mildly 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
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Xe] 4f12 6s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
HCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Erbium.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
-
Malleable
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor