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.

---

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

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of polonium

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

Example Sentences

Polonium is virtually undetectable, and in this case was only found at the very last moment.

From The Guardian • Mar. 25, 2013

Even if more evidence of Polonium is found, the mystery is likely to last a very long time.

From Time • Jul. 6, 2012

Curie named Polonium, in honor of her native country.

From Scientific American • Oct. 28, 2011

Polonium Barium Radium When asked to pick out a photo of Marie Curie, 14% of children pointed to a picture of Mariah Carey and 13% to one of Margaret Thatcher.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2011

Polonium, so-called, in honor of the native land of Mme.

From Marvels of Modern Science by Severing, Paul