Polonium (Po) - Element 84 | Properties & Electron Configuration

What is Polonium?

Polonium (Po) is element 84, a post transition metal in period 6, group 16. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴.

Atomic Number84
SymbolPo
Atomic Mass209 u
CategoryPost Transition Metal
Period6
Group16
Blockp
Electron Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴
Short Config[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴
Electronegativity2
Atomic Radius190 pm
Ionization Energy812 kJ/mol
Electron Affinity136 kJ/mol
Phase (STP)Solid

Electron Configuration

The full electron configuration of Polonium is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴. In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁴.

Polonium is a p-block element in group 16, period 6.

Periodic Trends

Electronegativity: Polonium has a Pauling electronegativity of 2. Within group 16, electronegativity generally decreases down the group.

Atomic Radius: 190 pm. Across period 6, atomic radius generally decreases left to right as nuclear charge increases.

Ionization Energy: 812 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.

View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.

Explore Polonium on the Interactive Periodic Table

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