Polonium (Po)

General Information

• Symbol: Po
• Atomic Number: 84
• Atomic Weight: [209] u (varies due to multiple isotopes)
• Element Category: Post-transition metal
• Group: 16
• Period: 6
• Block: p-block

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Silvery-gray metallic
• Density: 9.196 g/cm³
• Melting Point: 254 °C (489 °F)
• Boiling Point: 962 °C (1764 °F)
• Phase at STP: Solid
• Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴
• Oxidation States: +2, +4 (most common), +6

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Polonium is chemically similar to tellurium and bismuth. It is highly reactive and forms compounds with many elements, including hydrogen, halogens, and metals.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as polonium dioxide (PoO₂), polonium tetrachloride (PoCl₄), and polonium hydride (PoH₂).

Uses and Applications

• Antistatic Devices: Used in devices to eliminate static electricity in various industrial processes.
• Heat Sources: Utilized in space satellites and other remote applications as a lightweight heat source due to its radioactivity.
• Neutron Sources: Used as a neutron source when combined with beryllium.

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Found in trace amounts in uranium ores. It is extremely rare in nature.
• Extraction: Typically obtained by bombarding bismuth with neutrons in a nuclear reactor.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Polonium has no stable isotopes.
• Radioactive Isotopes: Polonium-210 is the most common isotope, used in industrial applications and scientific research.

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Polonium is highly radioactive and toxic. It poses severe health risks, including radiation sickness and increased cancer risk.
• Precautions: Handle with extreme caution, using specialized protective equipment and facilities designed to contain radioactivity.

History

• Discovery: Discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898.
• Name Origin: Named after Marie Curie’s homeland, Poland.

Additional Facts

• Crystal Structure: Simple cubic
• Magnetic Properties: Diamagnetic
• Thermal Conductivity: Low, about 20 W/m·K
• Electrical Resistivity: High, about 0.40 μΩ·m

Summary

Polonium is a highly radioactive post-transition metal known for its use in antistatic devices, heat sources, and neutron sources. It is extremely rare in nature and is typically produced synthetically in nuclear reactors. Discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie, polonium’s name honors Poland. Due to its high radioactivity and toxicity, polonium requires specialized handling and is primarily used in controlled industrial and scientific settings.

40 Question and Answer Pairs About Polonium

1. What is the atomic number of Polonium?

   • 84

2. What is the symbol for Polonium?

   • Po

3. What is the atomic weight of Polonium?

   • [209] u (varies due to multiple isotopes)

4. In which group of the periodic table is Polonium found?

   • Group 16

5. What period is Polonium in?

   • Period 6

6. What block does Polonium belong to?

   • p-block

7. What is the melting point of Polonium?

   • 254 °C (489 °F)

8. What is the boiling point of Polonium?

   • 962 °C (1764 °F)

9. What is the density of Polonium?

   • 9.196 g/cm³

10. What is the electron configuration of Polonium?

    • [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴

11. What are the common oxidation states of Polonium?

    • +2, +4, +6

12. What is the appearance of Polonium?

    • Silvery-gray metallic

13. Is Polonium reactive with air?

    • Yes, it is highly reactive.

14. Name a compound of Polonium.

    • Polonium dioxide (PoO₂)

15. What is a common use of Polonium in industry?

    • Used in antistatic devices.

16. How is Polonium used as a heat source?

    • Used in space satellites due to its radioactivity.

17. What role does Polonium play as a neutron source?

    • Used when combined with beryllium.

18. How is Polonium found in nature?

    • Found in trace amounts in uranium ores.

19. How is Polonium extracted?

    • Typically obtained by bombarding bismuth with neutrons in a nuclear reactor.

20. What is the most common isotope of Polonium?

    • Polonium-210

21. What safety hazard is associated with Polonium?

    • It is highly radioactive and toxic.

22. Who discovered Polonium?

    • Marie and Pierre Curie

23. Where does the name Polonium come from?

    • Named after Poland, Marie Curie’s homeland.

24. What is the crystal structure of Polonium?

    • Simple cubic

25. Is Polonium paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

    • Diamagnetic

26. What is the thermal conductivity of Polonium?

    • About 20 W/m·K

27. What is the electrical resistivity of Polonium?

    • About 0.40 μΩ·m

28. What is the primary oxidation state of Polonium?

    • +4

29. Is Polonium found as a free element in nature?

    • No, it is found in trace amounts in uranium ores.

30. What is the common name of Polonium hydride?

    • PoH₂

31. What is a major application of Polonium tetrachloride?

    • Used in scientific research.

32. How does Polonium benefit heat sources?

    • Its radioactivity generates heat.

33. What is the boiling point of Polonium in Kelvin?

    • 1235 K

34. What group does Polonium belong to in the periodic table?

    • Group 16 (chalcogens)

35. What is the natural abundance of Polonium-210?

    • Extremely rare and mostly synthetic.

36. Can Polonium be used in high-temperature applications?

    • Yes, but it is highly radioactive.

37. What is the key property that makes Polonium valuable in neutron sources?

    • Its ability to emit alpha particles.

38. How is Polonium used in antistatic devices?

    • It neutralizes static electricity.

39. What precautions should be taken when handling Polonium?

    • Use specialized protective equipment and facilities designed to contain radioactivity.

40. What makes Polonium unique among the elements?

    • Its extreme radioactivity and its use in various industrial and scientific applications.