POLONIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Polonium is a chemical element represented by the symbol Po and the atomic number 84. It is a highly radioactive metallic element that belongs to the group known as the chalcogens on the periodic table. Polonium was discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie in 1898, and it was named after Marie's home country, Poland. It is a rare element that occurs naturally in small amounts in uranium ores.
Polonium has several isotopes, but the most stable and abundant isotope is polonium-210, which has a half-life of approximately 138 days. It is primarily a product of the decay of radium-226, another radioactive element found in uranium ores.
Due to its high radioactivity, polonium emits alpha particles and gamma rays, which can be harmful to living organisms. It has a silvery-gray metallic appearance and is highly toxic, even in very small amounts. Because of its toxicity and radioactivity, polonium is commonly used in various scientific research and industrial applications, such as in nuclear reactors, as a heat source in thermoelectric generators, and as an anti-static device in industries.
Polonium has gained attention in public consciousness due to its association with poisonings. In 2006, the assassination of the former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko with polonium-210 attracted significant media attention. The substance's high toxicity and the difficulty of detecting it in the body make it an effective poison.
In summary, polonium is a rare, highly radioactive metallic element that is toxic to living organisms even in small quantities. It has various industrial and scientific applications, as well as notoriety for its association with poisonings.
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A radioactive substance or element, isolated from pitchblende; it is one of the disintegration products of radium emanation; called also radiotellurium.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of POLONIUM
The word "polonium" has its etymology rooted in the name of the homeland of the scientists who discovered it—Poland. "Polonium" was named after Poland to honor Marie Curie's native country. Marie Curie and her husband Pierre Curie discovered the element in 1898 while they were conducting research on radioactive materials. The name "polonium" was proposed by Pierre Curie to acknowledge Marie Curie's Polish background. Polonium's symbol, Po, is derived from the first two letters of "Polonia", which means Poland in Latin.
Similar spelling words for POLONIUM
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