Element Family
Post-Transition
Post-Transition
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.
- Compounds of Thallium metal are highly Toxic.
- Thallium metal is being suspected as a human carcinogen.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Found As a By-product, Ores of metals, Ores of Minerals
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
William Crookes
Discovery
In 1898
In 1861
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.
- Thallium is a toxic metal and hence it has limited uses. Thallium metal is mostly used for producing photoelectric cells.
- In thermometer’s mercury alloy has 8% of thallium, as it has a melting point lower than 20°C.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Chemical Industry
Medical Uses
-
Medical Research
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Highly Toxic
Present in Human Body
No
Yes
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, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p1
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, Sectile
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Diamagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor