Located in Group 16 and Period 6 of the Periodic Table is the element that is hundred times more radioactive than Uranium, and also found in the same ores as Uranium. This is Polonium.
First discovered by the forever great scientist Marie Curie and her husband Pierre Curie in 1898, and also isolated by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie in April 20, 1902.
 |
| Marie Curie and Pierre Curie |
Marie Curie and her husband Pierre Curie were actually investigating a mineral called Pitchblende, which is discovered by Antoine Henri Becquerel. They were actually researching this mineral because they are curious about why this mineral emits so many radiation.
Until 1898, they discovered the existence of Polonium first, then Radium in 1898. They officially isolated Polonium only at April 20, 1902, which they isolated from a ton of Pitchblende, also known as Clevite.
 |
| Pitchblende ( Clevite / Uranite ) |
The Curies bought a ton of Pitchblende and slowly isolate it. They isolated sand, clay, and other elements in the ore Finally, they isolated Polonium, then only Radium. The curies decided to name it Polonium.
Now, Polonium is used in Space Probes, removing static electricity from photographic film and there's also bits of Polonium containing in Cigarettes, which is listed as one of the most dangerous element contained in Cigarettes.
Polonium can be produced artificially by breaking down atoms using Cyclotron, which is a particle accelerator. Polonium can also exist naturally in Pitchblende, or broken down by other naturally occurring isotopes, which is quite rare. So, today, Polonium is produced artificially instead.
 |
| Cyclotron |
 |
| Cigarette |
 |
| Alexander Litvinenko |
So, Polonium is extremely poisonous. Let's stop smoking!
Atomic Number : 84
Name : Polonium
Latin Name : Polonium
Electron per shell : [ 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 6 ]
Discoverer : Marie and Pierre Curie ( 1898 )
Isolator : Marie and Pierre Curie ( 1902 )
Element's : Atomic Mass : 209 u ( estimated )
: Density : 9.4 g/cm3
: Type : Other Metals
Chemical Properties :
 |
| Polonium - 208 |
- Dissolves in Diluted Acids
- Slightly soluble in Alkalis
- 66 isotopes : 3 of them are :
Polonium - 208 : Protons : 84
: Neutrons : 124
: Electrons : 84
( Half Life : 2.898 years )
Polonium - 208 : Protons : 84
: Neutrons : 125
: Electrons :84
( Half Life : 152.3 years )
Polonium - 208 : Protons : 84
: Neutrons : 126
: Electrons : 84
( Half Life : 138.376 days )
Physical Properties :
- silvery - gray colored
- highly radioactive ( 100 times more radioactive than Uranium )
- Melting Point : 254 degrees Celsius ( 489 Fahrenheit )
- Boiling Point : 962 degrees Celsius ( 1764 Fahrenheit )
Radioactive Hazard Symbol
How Polonium got its name?
Polonium got its name from Marie Curie's hometown, Poland.
 |
| Poland Flag |
Uses
Polonium releases a lot of energy during Polonium's radioactive breakdown. Because of this benefit, Polonium has led to the development of compact heat sources which is usable in Space Probes.
 |
| Mariner 2 on its trip to the planet Mercury |
The radiation of Polonium is used to remove static electricity in photographic film. This can reduce the clarity of a picture. The radiation produced by Polonium creates electrical charges in the air around it. This can prevent damage to the film.
THIS IS THE END OF POLONIUM
To go to homepage, click this link :
To go to Chemistry Element Page, click this link :
Thanks for visiting.
If there is any improvements needed, feel free to comment at the comment section below.
Thank you.
If there is any improvements needed, feel free to comment at the comment section below.
Thank you.
