Polonium (Po): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Polonium (Po): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p4 · group 16 · period 6 · Ar [209]
Polonium data
- Atomic number
- 84
- Relative atomic mass
- [209]
- Group
- 16
- Period
- 6
- Block
- p
- Category
- Post-transition metal
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p4
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p4
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 6 (K L M N O P)
- Valence electrons
- 6
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 2
- First ionisation energy
- 8.417 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 197 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 254 °C
- Boiling point
- 962 °C
- Density
- 9.32 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +4, +2
- Discovered
- 1898
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 32 · O 18 · P 6
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About polonium
Polonium is a chemical element with the symbol Po and atomic number 84. It is a post-transition metal in group 16, period 6, p-block. Polonium was first discovered in 1898. Polonium is a solid at room temperature, melting at 254 °C and boiling at 962 °C.
Polonium electron configuration
The electron configuration of polonium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p4, or in short [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p4. Its electrons occupy 6 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 32, O = 18, P = 6. Polonium has 6 valence electrons in the P shell (6s2 6p4), which is why it sits in group 16.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p6(54) → 6s2(56) → 4f14(70) → 5d10(80) → 6p4(84)
Uses of polonium
The main uses of polonium include alpha sources in antistatic devices; formerly a heat source in spacecraft.
Safety
Polonium is radioactive. Using, storing or transporting radioactive material requires a licence from the national regulator (BAPETEN in Indonesia). Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other elements in group 16
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of polonium?
The electron configuration of polonium (Po, atomic number 84) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p4, or [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p4 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 6.
How many valence electrons does polonium have?
Polonium has 6 valence electrons.
Which group and period is polonium in?
Polonium is in group 16, period 6, p-block.
What is the atomic mass of polonium?
Polonium has no stable isotope, so the mass number of its longest-lived isotope, [209], is given.
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