polonium Definition
- 1a rare radioactive metal of the alkali metal group that is silvery-white in color and has a highly toxic effect on living cells
- 2a chemical element with the symbol Po and atomic number 84
Using polonium: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "polonium" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Polonium was used to poison Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006.
Example
Polonium is highly radioactive and can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly.
Example
Polonium has a very short half-life, which makes it difficult to work with in scientific research.
Origins of polonium
from the name of Poland, the native country of Marie Curie, who discovered the element in 1898
Summary: polonium in Brief
Polonium [pəˈləʊniəm] is a rare, highly radioactive metal that is toxic to living cells. It was discovered by Marie Curie in 1898 and has a short half-life, making it difficult to work with in scientific research. Polonium was infamously used to poison Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006.
