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.
- Gadolinium is not found free in nature, hence it is not a native metal.
- Gadolinium metal found in minerals like Monazite and Bastnaesite.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Found in Minerals, Mining
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac
Discovery
In 1898
In 1880
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.
- Its alloys are also used in making Magnets, electronic components and Data storage devices.
- Compound of Gadolinium metal are used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Aerospace Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Non 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, Flammable, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Xe] 4f7 5d1 6s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
HCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Gadolinium.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
Ferromagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor