(named after Poland, native country of Marie Curie) Discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898. Found in uranium ores. It is difficult to find and is radioactive.
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metalloid, volatile, radioactive, 27 isotopes are known, 2 allotropic forms, dissolved in acids, dangerous to handle because of radioactive nature (especially Po-210), found in tobacco as a contaminant, alpha emitter (alpha is a radioactive particle)
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possible use as a heat source for thermoelectric power in space satellites, devices to remove static in textile mills, to produce a source of neutrons, remove dust from photographic film