The Three Most Dangerous Elements
Polonium
Symbol - Po
Atomic number - 84
Protons - 84
Electrons - 84
Neutrons - 125
Atomic Mass - 209
Polonium was discovered in 1898 by Marie Curie and her husband, Pierre. It is named after Poland, the hometown of the founders.
Three Facts About Polonium
- Polonium is an alpha emitter, which means it’s highly radioactive
- Russia exports 8 grams of polonium every month.
- Polonium is found in dirt and tobacco.
Public Domain
Plutonium
Symbol - Pu
Atomic number - 94
Protons - 94
Electrons - 94
Neutrons - 150
Atomic mass - 244
Plotonium was discovered by Glenn Seaburg and colleagues in 1994. It is named after the dwarf planet, Pluto.
Three Facts About Plutonium
- The key material is nuclear power
- It is extremely toxic
- It has no biological rule
Los Alamos National Labratory
Lead
Symbol - Pb
Atomic number - 82
Protons - 82
Electrons - 82
Neutrons - 125
Atomic mass - 207
Lead was discovered in ancient time. The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for the metal, 'lead'.
Three Facts About Lead
- Lead has the highest atomic number for the stable elements.
- It is sometimes called the first metal.
- Lead is highly toxic, affecting the central nervous system.
Public Domain
Sources
- https://www.britannica.com/science/plutonium#:~:text=plutonium%20(Pu)%2C%20radioactive%20chemical,periodic%20table%2C%20atomic%20number%2094.
- https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/periodic-table/
- https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/94/plutonium
- https://www.rferl.org/a/1073117.html
- https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/84/polonium#:~:text=Polonium%2C%20(element%2084)%2C,with%20her%20husband%20Pierre%20Curie.
- https://www.thoughtco.com/lead-element-facts-608167