Polonium

Polonium is a rare and radioactive element, represented by the symbol Po and atomic number 84. Discovered by Marie Curie in 1898, it naturally occurs in trace amounts in uranium ores. Polonium emits alpha particles, making it highly radioactive and potentially hazardous. It is used in certain applications, including as a heat source in space equipment and to eliminate static electricity in machinery. However, due to its radioactivity, it is handled with extreme care. Notably, polonium gained public attention as it was involved in the poisoning of the Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko in 2006.