Element Family
Post-Transition
Lanthanide
Space Group Name
Pm-3m
Fm_ 3m
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.
- Ytterbium metal oxidizes rapidly if exposed to air.
- Ytterbium metal can dissolve quickly in Mineral acid.
Sources
Mining, Ores of metals
Found in Minerals, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Who Discovered
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie
Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac
Discovery
In 1898
In 1878
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.
- Ytterbium metal is used in memory devices and tuneable laser.
-
It is also used as industrial catalyst as the other catalysts are too toxic and polluting.
Industrial Uses
Aerospace Industry, Ammunition Industry
Automobile Industry, Chemical Industry
Toxicity
Highly Toxic
Highly Toxic
Present in Human Body
No
No
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
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
[Xe] 4f14 6s2
Crystal Structure
Monoclinic (MON)
Face Centered Cubic (FCC)
Crystal Lattice
MON-Crystal-Structure-of-Polonium.jpg#100
FCC-Crystal-Structure-of-Ytterbium.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
Conductor