Polonium (Po)
Polonium (Po, element 84) is a post-transition metal in group 16, period 6. Atomic mass 209, electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴, uses and facts.
About Polonium
Polonium is a post-transition metal with the symbol Po and atomic number 84. It is a solid at room temperature, and it sits in group 16, period 6 of the periodic table. Polonium was discovered in 1898 by Marie & Pierre Curie.
Polonium key facts
- Atomic number: 84
- Symbol: Po
- Atomic mass: 209 u
- Category: post-transition metal
- Group: 16
- Period: 6
- State at room temperature: solid
- Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴
- Electronegativity (Pauling): 2
- Melting point: 527 K (253.85 °C)
- Boiling point: 1235 K (961.85 °C)
- Density: 9.196 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states: −2, +2, +4, +5, +6
Electron configuration
The electron configuration of polonium is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴. The part in brackets is the noble gas core; the rest shows how the outer electrons fill their subshells. Polonium has 6 valence electrons.
Uses of polonium
- Antistatic devices
- Research
- Historical: neutron source
Did you know?
Named after Marie Curie's homeland Poland. One gram of polonium-210 releases enough heat to glow red.
Other elements in group 16 and neighbours
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic number of polonium?
The atomic number of polonium is 84, which means every polonium atom has 84 protons.
What is the electron configuration of polonium?
The electron configuration of polonium is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴.
What group and period is polonium in?
Polonium is a post-transition metal in group 16, period 6.
What state is polonium at room temperature?
Polonium is a solid at room temperature.
What is polonium used for?
Polonium is used for antistatic devices, research, historical: neutron source.