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.
- Holmium metal is very soft and malleable.
- Holmium metal is well known for its corrosion resistivity.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Found in Minerals, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Marc Delafontaine
Discovery
In 1898
In 1878
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.
- Holmium metal has an ability to absorb neutrons, so this metal is used in nuclear reactors to keep the chain reactions of elements under control.
-
Alloys of Holmium are used to produce Magnet.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
-
Other Uses
Alloys
Alloys, Nuclear Research
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Low 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
Chemical Stability, Anti Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Xe] 4f11 6s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
HCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Holmium.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, Sectile
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor