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Element story

Polonium

Atomic number 84 means that every Polonium nucleus contains 84 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Polonium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 84 means that every Polonium nucleus contains 84 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Polonium.

Polonium (Po) is chemical element 84. It belongs to the post-transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in scientific research, nuclear heat and history.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 84 means that every Polonium nucleus contains 84 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Polonium.

Keep exploring

→ Polonium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

84PoPolonium
Polonium · Po · Z = 84

Polonium (Po) is chemical element 84. It belongs to the post-transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Polonium (Po) is chemical element 84. It belongs to the post-transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in scientific research, nuclear heat and history.

What its position in the table tells us

Polonium sits in period 6, group 16 and the P block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.