Element Family
Post-Transition
Transition Metal
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.
- Osmium metal does not oxidize in air unless it is heated.
- But if it heated den it forms Osmium Tetroxide, which is highly toxic.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Found As a By-product, Found in Minerals, Mining
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Smithson Tennant
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.
- Its has very limited uses and its alloys are very hard and are used in the manufacturing of pen tips, pivots, needles and electrical contacts.
-
It is also used as industrial catalyst to speed up the chemical reaction.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Aerospace Industry, Automobile Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Highly Toxic
Present in Human Body
No
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silver
Silvery Bluish-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
Chemical Stability, Ionization, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Xe] 4f14 5d6 6s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
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, 2 π/3
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
-
Ductile
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor