Element Family
Post-Transition
Lanthanide
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.
- Promethium metal found in Pitchblende.
- Promethium metal is highly radioactive metal.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Found in Minerals, Mining
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Chien Shiung Wu, Emilio Segrè, Hans Bethe
Discovery
In 1898
In 1942
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 for research purpose. Very small amount of this metal is used in atomic batteries.
- Its radioactive decay is used for a phosphor to give off light. The light emitted is converted into electricity.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
-
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Non Toxic
Present in Human Body
No
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
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] 4f5 6s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Double Hexagonal Close Packed (DHCP)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
DHCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Promethium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, π/2
-
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
-
-
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor