polonium

American  

[puh-loh-nee-uhm] / pəˈloʊ ni əm /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a radioactive element discovered by Pierre and Marie Curie in 1898; Po; 84; about 210.

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polonium British  

/ pəˈləʊnɪəm /

noun

1. a very rare radioactive element that occurs in trace amounts in uranium ores. The isotope polonium-210 is produced artificially and is used as a lightweight power source in satellites and to eliminate static electricity in certain industries. Symbol: Po; atomic no: 84; half-life of most stable isotope, ²⁰⁹ Po: 103 years; valency: –2, 0, 2, 4, or 6; relative density (alpha modification): 9.32; melting pt: 254°C; boiling pt: 962°C

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polonium Scientific  

/ pə-lō′nē-əm /

1. A very rare, naturally radioactive, silvery-gray or black metalloid element. It is produced in extremely small amounts by the radioactive decay of radium or the bombardment of bismuth or lead with neutrons. Atomic number 84; melting point 254°C; boiling point 962°C; specific gravity 9.20; valence 2, 4.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of polonium

1895–1900; < New Latin, equivalent to polon- (< Medieval Latin Polonia Poland) + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

But a properly functioning coal-burning plant spreads radioactive lead, uranium, radon, polonium, and thorium every day.

From Literature

He later fell violently ill, and doctors determined he had ingested polonium-210, a radioactive isotope.

From Seattle Times

Curie used the building for some of her pioneering work on radioactivity and later became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, for discovering polonium and radium.

From Science Magazine

It also found high levels of polonium, radium and other material inside the school.

From Seattle Times

It also found high levels of polonium, radium and other material in various places throughout the school.

From Seattle Times