The key difference between polonium and plutonium is that polonium is a post-transition metal, whereas plutonium is an actinide.
Although the names, polonium and plutonium, sound similar, they are different chemical elements that exist in two different groups and periods. They belong to different element groups as well, i.e. plutonium belongs to the actinide series. However, both these chemical elements have a slivery shiny appearance.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Polonium
3. What is Plutonium
4. Side by Side Comparison – Polonium vs Plutonium in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Polonium?
Polonium is a chemical element having atomic number 84 and symbol Po. It is a p-block element that exists in group 16, period 6 of the periodic table. Moreover, it belongs to the post-transition metal series. This series has metallic elements which are located between transition metals and metalloids. The electron configuration of polonium is [Xe]4f145d106s26p4. It exists in a solid phase at standard temperature and pressure.
Polonium is a radioactive chemical element that has no stable isotopes. In its chemical properties, polonium is similar to selenium and tellurium. Due to high radioactivity and ability to perform radiolysis and break down the chemical bonds, experiments regarding polonium have been conducted only for trace amounts of polonium. This radioactive element can exist in two metallic allotropic forms: the alpha form and the beta form. The alpha form has a cubic structure, while the beta form is rhombohedral.
When considering the chemical properties of polonium, it readily dissolves in dilute acids. It is also slightly soluble in alkali solutions. Initially, polonium solutions have a pink color, which turns to yellow due to the alpha radiation. In addition to these, polonium has no known compounds. All its compounds are produced synthetically, e.g., there are around 50 synthetic compounds of polonium.
What is Plutonium?
Plutonium is a chemical element having atomic number 94 and symbol Pu. It belongs to the actinide series. Also, it is a radioactive chemical element. Furthermore, the plutonium element belongs to the f-block of the periodic table.
Besides, appearance-wise, it is silvery-shiny. However, when exposed to air, the silvery-shiny appearance of this element tarnishes. Then it forms a dull coating of oxidized plutonium.
Furthermore, there are six allotropes of plutonium and four known oxidation states. However, it can form a seventh allotropic form at high temperatures. The six allotropes are named alpha, beta, gamma, delta, delta prime, and epsilon allotrope. At room temperature, we can observe the alpha form of plutonium. Usually, the crystal structure of plutonium is monoclinic.
Typically, plutonium is a brittle and hard metal. Upon alloying with other elements, we can convert this metal into a ductile form. However, it is not very good at conducting electricity and heat. Unlike most other metals, plutonium has a low melting point, which is around 640 °C and an unusually high boiling point (3,228 °C).
Plutonium, as mentioned above, is a highly radioactive chemical element. Upon alpha decay, it can release high-energy helium atoms. It is the most common form of radioactive decay of plutonium. Also, the heat generated due to the deceleration of alpha particles makes it warm and difficult to touch.
What is the Difference Between Polonium and Plutonium?
Although the names polonium and plutonium sound similar, they are different chemical elements that exist in two different groups and periods. The key difference between polonium and plutonium is that polonium is a post-transition metal, whereas plutonium is an actinide.
Moreover, both are highly radioactive chemical elements, and both have similar appearances, but they have very different chemical and physical properties. Below infographic compares the properties of both elements side by side to discern the difference between polonium and plutonium.
Summary – Polonium vs Plutonium
Although the names polonium and plutonium sound similar, they are different chemical elements that exist in two different groups and periods. The key difference between polonium and plutonium is that polonium is a post-transition metal, whereas plutonium is an actinide.
Reference:
1. “Polonium”. Wikipedia.Org, 2019, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Polonium” By Source (Fair use) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Plutonium3” By U.S. Department of Energy – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia