polonium
[ puh-loh-nee-uh m ]
/ pəˈloʊ ni əm /
noun Chemistry.
a radioactive element discovered by Pierre and Marie Curie in 1898; Symbol: Po; atomic number: 84; atomic weight: about 210.
Origin of polonium
Words nearby polonium
polo pony,
polo shirt,
polo, marco,
polokwane,
polonaise,
polonium,
polonius,
polonize,
polonnaruwa,
polony,
polos
Example sentences from the Web for polonium
British Dictionary definitions for polonium
polonium
/ (pəˈləʊnɪəm) /
noun
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
Word Origin for polonium
C19: New Latin, from Medieval Latin
Polōnia Poland; named in honour of the Polish nationality of its discoverer, Marie Curie
Medical definitions for polonium
polonium
[ pə-lō′nē-əm ]
n. Symbol Po
A naturally radioactive metallic element, occurring in minute quantities in uranium ores; its most readily available isotope is Po 210, with a half-life of 138.39 days. Atomic number 84.
Scientific definitions for polonium
polonium
[ pə-lō′nē-əm ]
Po
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. See Periodic Table.