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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.
scientific researchnuclear heathistory
Standard atomic weightNo standard atomic weight
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.
Worth remembering
Polonium is radioactive, so its chemistry cannot be separated from nuclear physics and radiation safety
Polonium is radioactive, so its chemistry cannot be separated from nuclear physics and radiation safety