33 Polonium Properties (Explained for Beginner’s)

Polonium (Po), atomic number 84, density 9.196 g/cm³, melts at 254°C. Notably radioactive, with Po-210 (half-life 138.376 days) used in nuclear batteries and anti-static devices. Discovered by Marie Curie in 1898, it’s rare, extracted from uranium ores. Highly toxic, requires careful handling.

Basic Properties of Polonium

Property	Detail
Atomic Number	84
Atomic Mass	209 u
State at Room Temperature	Solid
Density	9.32 g/cm3
Number of electrons	84
Number of protons	84
Number of neutrons	125
Group	16
Period	6
Year Discovered	1898 by Marie Curie
Cost	~$100 per microgram due to extreme radioactivity

Physical Properties of Polonium

Property	Detail
Melting Point	254°C
Boiling Point	962°C
Solubility	Insoluble in water; soluble in acids
Electrical Conductivity	Metallic conductor
Magnetism	Very slightly paramagnetic
Color	Silvery-gray metallic
Odor	Odorless
Hardness	2.0 Mohs
Vapor Pressure	0.04 Pa at 500°C
Viscosity	N/A (solid at room temperature)
Surface Tension	N/A (solid at room temperature)
Refractive Index	N/A
Specific Heat Capacity	130 J/kg·K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion	N/A

Chemical Properties of Polonium

Property	Detail
Reactivity	Extremely radioactive and reactive; decays to lead (Pb)
Flammability	Flammable solid in powder form
pH	N/A
Oxidation States	-2, +2, +4, +6
Electronegativity	2.0
Corrosion Resistance	None; reacts violently with many substances
Chemical Stability	Unstable; radioactive
Heat of Combustion	N/A
Reaction Rates	Decays rapidly due to radioactivity
Acid-Base Behavior	N/A
Redox Potential	N/A

Spectroscopic Properties of Polonium

Property	Detail
Absorption Wavelengths	216 nm, 256 nm
Emission Wavelengths	810 nm (alpha radiation)
NMR Properties	N/A

Polonium Crystallographic Properties

Property	Detail
Crystal Structure	Cubic
Lattice Parameter	3.35 Å
Space Group	Fm3m
Pearson Symbol	cF12

Polonium Electronic Properties

Property	Detail
Band Gap	N/A
Electrical Resistivity	10-7 ohm-meters

Polonium Isotopic Composition

Isotope	Natural Abundance (%)	Half-life	Decay Mode
Po-208	Trace	2.9 years	Alpha decay
Po-209	Synthetic	103 years	Alpha decay
Po-210	Trace	138.376 days	Alpha decay
Po-211	Synthetic	0.516 seconds	Alpha decay
Po-212	Synthetic	0.3 microseconds	Alpha decay
Po-214	Synthetic	164.3 microseconds	Alpha decay

Polonium Discovery

Property	Detail
Element Name	Polonium
Symbol	Po
Atomic Number	84
Discovered By	Marie Curie and Pierre Curie
Year of Discovery	1898
Origin of Name	Named after Poland, Marie Curie’s native country
First Isolation	Separated from uranium ore through a series of chemical processes

Interesting Facts on Polonium

Fact	Detail
Radioactivity	Polonium was the first element discovered that was radioactive without the presence of uranium.
Curie’s Discovery	Marie Curie chose the element’s name as a political statement in support of her native Poland.
Rare Element	Polonium is extremely rare in nature and is usually produced synthetically in nuclear reactors.
Heat Generation	Polonium-210 can generate temperatures up to 500°C due to its high radioactivity, which makes it useful as a compact heat source.
Toxicity	Polonium is highly toxic, with a lethal dose (LD50) for an adult of about 1 microgram if ingested.

Polonium Applications and Uses

Application Area	Description
Industrial Uses	Used as a heat source in space satellites and lunar missions due to its ability to generate heat through radioactive decay.
Medical Uses	Employed in anti-static devices in pharmaceutical labs and as a compact heat source for thermoelectric power in remote medical devices.
Agricultural Uses	Research into using polonium as a means to induce mutations in seeds for crop improvement (highly regulated).
Energy Production	Polonium-210 is considered for use in nuclear batteries (radioisotope thermoelectric generators) for deep-space missions.
Technology and Electronics	Utilized in devices that eliminate static charges in machinery and dust removal in photographic film production.
Environmental Applications	Investigated for potential use in environmental monitoring devices due to its radioactive properties enabling sensitive detection of pollutants.

Safety Precautions for Polonium

Precaution	Detail
Handling	Polonium must be handled in specialized facilities with appropriate containment to prevent exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)	Use of gloves, protective clothing, and full-face respirators when working with polonium to prevent inhalation or ingestion.
Storage	Stored in tightly sealed containers, usually under inert atmospheres to prevent the escape of radioactive particles.
Waste Disposal	Radioactive waste containing polonium must be disposed of according to regulatory standards, involving secure containment and long-term storage.
Emergency Procedures	Facilities must have protocols for containment and decontamination in case of accidental release, including emergency showers and eye wash stations.

References : Britannica, Wikipedia