Polonium: Discovery, Danger, and Daring Uses

Polonium is a tiny but mighty element: a rare, highly radioactive metal with two allotropes, discovered by Curie in 1898 and named after Poland. We’ll trace its history, its unusual uses—from space power sources to anti-static devices—and its dangerous side as an alpha emitter, including real-world poisoning cases. Drawing on Live Science, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Chemistry in its Element podcast, this Deep Dive reveals the double-edged nature of discovery.

Note: This podcast was AI-generated, and sometimes AI can make mistakes. Please double-check any critical information.

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