Polonium

84
Po
Group
16
Period
6
Block
p
Protons
Electrons
Neutrons
84
84
126
General Properties
Atomic Number
84
Atomic Weight
[210]
Mass Number
210
Category
Metalloids
Color
Silver
Radioactive
Yes
Named after Poland, native country of Madam Curie
Crystal Structure
Simple Cubic
History
Polonium was discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898 in Paris.

This element was the first one discovered by the Curies while they were investigating the cause of pitchblende radioactivity.

The dangers of working with radioactive elements were not known when the Curies made their discoveries.
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 6
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
Po
Polonium is obtained by irradiating bismuth with high-energy neutrons or protons
Physical Properties
Phase
Solid
Density
9.196 g/cm3
Melting Point
527.15 K | 254 °C | 489.2 °F
Boiling Point
1235.15 K | 962 °C | 1763.6 °F
Heat of Fusion
13 kJ/mol
Heat of Vaporization
100 kJ/mol
Specific Heat Capacity
-
Abundance in Earth's crust
n/a
Abundance in Universe
n/a
Pierre
Image Credits: hp.ujf.cas.cz
Pierre and Marie Curie in the laboratory
CAS Number
7440-08-6
PubChem CID Number
n/a
Atomic Properties
Atomic Radius
168 pm
Covalent Radius
140 pm
Electronegativity
2.00 (Pauling scale)
Ionization Potential
8.417 eV
Atomic Volume
22.23 cm3/mol
Thermal Conductivity
0.2 W/cm·K
Oxidation States
-2, 2, 4, 6
Applications
Polonium is used to eliminate static electricity produced during processes such as rolling paper, wire and sheet metal.

Polonium can be mixed or alloyed with beryllium to provide a source of neutrons.

It is also used in anti-static brushes to eliminate dust on photographic film.
Polonium is highly dangerous and radioactive
Isotopes
Stable Isotopes
-
Unstable Isotopes
188Po, 189Po, 190Po, 191Po, 192Po, 193Po, 194Po, 195Po, 196Po, 197Po, 198Po, 199Po, 200Po, 201Po, 202Po, 203Po, 204Po, 205Po, 206Po, 207Po, 208Po, 209Po, 210Po, 211Po, 212Po, 213Po, 214Po, 215Po, 216Po, 217Po, 218Po, 219Po, 220Po