🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Polonium
• Discovered By: Marie Curie and Pierre Curie
• Year of Discovery: 1898
• Category: Metalloid / Post-transition Metal
• Group: 16 (Chalcogen family)
• State at Room Temperature: Solid (silvery-gray metal) ⚙️

Polonium is an extremely rare and radioactive element found in trace amounts in uranium ores.

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Po
• Atomic Number: 84
• Atomic Mass: ~209 u (varies by isotope)
• Valency: +2, +4
• Electronic Configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴

Polonium is chemically similar to tellurium and bismuth, but is far more radioactive.

📘 Basic Things to Know

Polonium was the first element discovered by Marie Curie and named after her home country, Poland 🇵🇱. It’s incredibly radioactive — even tiny amounts are dangerous if not handled properly.

🤔 Interesting Facts

• 1 gram of polonium can release enough radiation to kill hundreds of people ☠️
• Polonium-210 was controversially used in high-profile poisoning cases 🧪
• It emits alpha particles, which are deadly if ingested or inhaled, but can’t penetrate skin ⚠️
• Despite its danger, it has some specialized uses in industry and space equipment 🌌
• It glows faintly blue due to intense radiation 🌟

🔧 Common Uses

⚠️ Due to extreme toxicity, polonium is only used under strict control and in tiny amounts.

• Anti-static Devices: Used to remove static electricity in machinery and film production ⚙️📽️
• Space Equipment: Heat source in satellites using Polonium-210’s decay energy 🌌
• Scientific Research: Studied in nuclear chemistry and radiation science 🔬
• Nuclear Weapons Programs: Historically explored in triggers and neutron sources ☢️

📚 Conclusion

Polonium is one of the most dangerous naturally occurring elements, with powerful radiation and a dramatic history. For students, it’s a strong example of how scientific discovery can have both positive and harmful impacts, depending on how it’s used. ⚛️💥