Name Symbol Etymology Atomic Number

Polonium Po After Poland native country of Curie 84

Standard Atomic Weight Metallic Category Group Period Block Electron Configuration

(209) Post Transition Metal 16 6 p [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p4

 Polonium is a rare, silvery-gray, radioactive lowmelting metalloid. Polonium readily reacts with dilute acids, but only slightly with alkalis. All of its isotopes are radioactive. 210Po emits a blue glow, as the air around it is excited by the decay products.

No. of Protons (p+) No. of Electrons (e-) No. of Neutrons (n0)

84 84 125

 Polonium was the first element Marie and Pierre Curie discovered in 1898.

First isolation of Polonium was performed by Willy Marckwald in 1902.

Color

Silvery Gray

Density 9.4 g/cm3 Melting Point 527 K, 489 F 254 C Boiling Point 1764 F 962 C, 1235 K Heat of Fusion ca. 13 kJmol1 Heat of Vaporization 102.91 kJmol1 Molar Heat Capacity 26.4 Jmol1K1 Vapor Pressure
P (Pa) at T (K) 1k (846) 10 k 1003 100 k 1236

Electronegativity

2.0 (Pauling scale)

Ionization Energies
Atomic Radius

1st: 812.1 kJmol1

168 pm

Covalent Radius
Van der Waals radius

1404 pm
197 pm

Half-Life Lifetime Decay Mode Quantum Numbers Neutron Cross Section Known Isotopes

102.1 y 147.1 y Alpha Emission

3P 2

0.5
188Po, 189Po, 190Po,
218Po, 219Po, 220Po

 Abundance earths crust: Of the order of 1 part per quadrillion. Abundance solar system: negligible Source: It is found in uranium ores in minute quantities. Isotopes: Polonium has 29 isotopes whose halflives are known, with mass numbers 190 to 218. None are stable. The most stable isotope is 209Po, with a half-life of 102 years.

 Neutron Capture
It can be obtained by bombarding natural bismuth, 209Bi , with neutrons to give 210Bi, which then decays to 210Po via decay. The final purification is done pyrochemically followed by liquid-liquid extraction techniques.

Proton Capture
It has been found that the longer-lived isotopes of polonium can be formed by proton bombardment of bismuth using a cyclotron.

 Nuclear batteries Electrical devices It is used to eliminate static electricity produced during processes such as rolling paper, wire and sheet metal. 210Po can be used as an atomic heat source. Polonium is also used in anti-static brushes to eliminate dust on photographic film.

 Polonium is harmful both through its chemical toxicity and its radioactivity. Polonium-210 is an alpha emitter. As such it is very hazardous if swallowed or inhaled. Exposure to polonium increases the risk of getting various cancers.

A person poisoned by Polonium.