Element Family
Post-Transition
Actinide
Space Group Name
Pm-3m
Cmcm
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.
- Major mining countries of Uranium include Russia, Australia, Namibia, Canada and Niger and total 33% Uranium are mine in Kazakhstan.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Earth's crust, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
-
Discovery
In 1898
In 1789
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.
- The main use of this metal include nuclear fuel which is used to generate electricity yin nuclear power stations.
-
Synthetic elements like transuranium are made from Uranium metal.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Ammunition Industry, Chemical Industry
Other Uses
Alloys
Alloys, Jewellery, Nuclear Reactor's Fuel, Sculptures, Statues
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Toxic
Present in Human Body
No
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silver
Silvery 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
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Radioactivity
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Rn] 5f3 6d1 7s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Orthorhombic (ORTH)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
ORTH-Crystal-Structure-of-Uranium.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, Malleable
Magnetic Ordering
Nonmagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Poor Conductor