The half-life of polonium is approximately 138 days. This means that after 138 days, half of the initial amount of polonium will have decayed into other elements.
Polonium decays through alpha decay, where an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons) is emitted from the nucleus. This process continues until the element reaches a stable isotope.
Yes, polonium is a highly radioactive element. It is a naturally occurring element and has 33 known isotopes, all of which are radioactive.
Polonium has limited commercial uses due to its highly radioactive nature. It has been used in thermoelectric power sources for space probes, as a source of neutrons in research, and in certain medical treatments.
The half-life of polonium is measured through experimental methods. Scientists can measure the decrease in the number of radioactive atoms over time using specialized equipment, such as a Geiger counter, and calculate the half-life based on this data.