Element 84

Polonium (Po)

Metalloid · Period 6 · Group 16 · p-block

Polonium (Po) is element 84 of the periodic table, a metalloid in period 6, group 16 (p-block) with an atomic mass of 209 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
84
Symbol
Po
Atomic mass
209 u
Category
Metalloids
Period
6
Group
16
Block
p-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p4
Shorthand configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 6
Oxidation states
-2, +2, +4, +5, +6

Physical properties

Melting point
527 K
Boiling point
1235 K
Density
9.32 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
2
Atomic radius
135 pm
Covalent radius
140 pm
Van der Waals radius
197 pm
First ionization energy
812 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
136 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Po-209208.98243Half-life 125 years

Common uses

  • Heat source for satellites
  • Anti-static devices
  • Nuclear weapons

Discovery

Year
1898
Discovered by
Marie Curie, Pierre Curie
Country
France

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