POLONIUM The symbol for

Polonium is Po. Polonium’s atomic

weight is 209. The atomic number is

84.

By: Rachel Pence

USES & PROPERTIES Mixed or alloyed with beryllium to

provide a source of neutrons. Used for eliminating static charges

from textile mills. Used on brushes for removing

dust from photographic films. Thermoelectric power in space

satellites. Polonium is the only component of

cigarette smoke that has produced cancers by itself in laboratory animals by inhalation.

Is a source of radiation and a heat source in space vehicles.

Melting point is 254˚C. Boiling point is 962˚C. Hardness is mohs. Color is blue glow. It is radioactive. Highly toxic. Uranium ores; rarely occurs free in

nature. Silver-grey metal. Soluble in dilute

acids. Heat capacity: 26.1 Critical temperature:2880.0 K Its decay releases 140 W per g.

WHERE DOES POLONIUM COME FROM?

Polonium was discovered by Marie Curie in 1898.

She named the element after her homeland, Poland.

At that time, Poland was under Russian domination and not recognized as a nation.

Mary’s hope that naming the element after her homeland would add notoriety to its plight.

Polonium may be the first element named to highlight a political controversy.

This element was the first one discovered by the Curies while they were investigating the cause of pitchblende radioactivity.

Compounds are halogens, oxygen and hydrogen.

Polonium

Uses

Eliminates static charges in textile mills

Source ofneutrons.

Source of radiation and a heat source in space

vehicles.

Thermoelectricpower in space

satellites.

Properties

Boiling point:254°C.Melting point

962°C

Uranium ores; rarelyoccurs in nature.

Highly toxic,radioactive.

Facts

Polonium wasdiscovered in1898 by Marie

Curie.

Curie named theelement after her

homeland,Poland.

Discoveredwhile

investigatingthe cause ofpitchblenderadioactivity.

Morefacts

Very similar toTellurium and

Bismuth.

Studied for possible use in

spacecraft.

Curie’s hope that namingthe element afterPoland would add

notoriety to itsplight.

Found in tobaccosmoke.

RESOURCES www.corrosionsource.com/handbook/periodic/84.html www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Po/

geol.html www.scescape.net/~wood/elements/polonium.htmlc www.chemicool.com www.chive.org/dnemerofs ky/elements/Po/Polonium

%202.html Pubs.acs.org/cen/80th/polonium.html www.chemsoc.org www.talkorigins.org www.scipeeps.com/Sci-Chemistry topics P -

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