Po
209.000Polonium
Polonyum
Polonium is a highly radioactive post-transition metal with atomic number 84. It is known for Marie Curie’s discovery, polonium-210 alpha emission, static eliminators, heat-source history and the Litvinenko poisoning case.
84
209 g/mol
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴
2 | 8 | 18 | 32 | 18 | 6
2
9.32 g/cm³
253.9 °C
961.9 °C
Marie Curie
Polonium was discovered in 1898 by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie while studying pitchblende. Marie Curie named it after Poland, her homeland, at a time when Poland was partitioned.
Polonium-209
Half-life: About 125 years. Longest-lived polonium isotope, used in research and tracer contexts.Polonium-210
Half-life: About 138 days. Alpha-emitting isotope found in uranium decay chains and used in static eliminators.PoO₂
Polonium(IV) OxideResearch compound in polonium chemistry.PoCl₄
Polonium(IV) ChlorideResearch precursor for tetravalent polonium chemistry.- Polonium-210 static eliminators that ionize air to remove static charge
- Polonium-210 heat sources in some historical space and remote systems
- Alpha-particle sources for nuclear physics research
- Polonium-beryllium neutron source history
Polonium has no biological role. Polonium-210 is an intense alpha emitter and is extremely dangerous if inhaled or ingested, even though alpha particles have low external penetration.
- Polonium was the first element discovered by Marie Curie.
- Po-210 has very high specific activity and can generate heat from radioactive decay.
- Polonium-beryllium sources helped early neutron research by producing neutrons from alpha bombardment of beryllium.
- The 2006 Alexander Litvinenko poisoning made Po-210 widely known outside nuclear science.
- Polonium has atomic number 84 and symbol Po.
- Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴.
- All polonium isotopes are radioactive.
- Remember Po-210 for alpha emission, static eliminators and severe internal toxicity.
What is the atomic number of polonium?
The atomic number of polonium is 84.
What is the electron configuration of polonium?
Polonium has the electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴.
What is polonium used for?
Polonium is used mainly in specialized static eliminators, alpha-source research and historical heat-source or neutron-source applications.
What is polonium-210?
Polonium-210 is a radioactive alpha-emitting isotope with a half-life of about 138 days.
Why is polonium dangerous?
Polonium-210 is extremely hazardous if inhaled or ingested because alpha particles deliver intense radiation inside tissue.
Who discovered polonium?
Polonium was discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie in 1898.