Element Family
Post-Transition
Actinide
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.
- Thorium metal is used as an alternate option over Uranium for nuclear fuel.
- Thorium metals appearance (silvery white, soft) is somewhat similar to Lead metal.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Found in Minerals, Mining
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Jöns Jakob Berzelius
Discovery
In 1898
In 1829
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.
- Thorium metal is used as an allying agent for Magnesium, It imparts greater strength and resistance to temperature.
-
compound of this metal Thorium oxide is used as an industrial catalyst.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Aerospace Industry, Automobile Industry, Chemical Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Medical Uses
-
Dentistry, Surgical Instruments Manufacturing
Other Uses
Alloys
Alloys, Jewellery, Sculptures, Statues
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Non Toxic
Present in Human Body
No
Yes
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
Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Radioactivity
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Rn] 6d2 7s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Face Centered Cubic (FCC)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
FCC-Crystal-Structure-of-Thorium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, π/2
π/2, π/2, π/2
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
-
Ductile
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Superconductor