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Atomic: M.A.C. | Reference
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Isotopes of Polonium
Notes
Polonium has no stable isotopes.
Notable Isotopes
208Po [124 neutrons]
Abundance: synthetic
Half life: 2.898 years [ Alpha Decay ]
Decay Energy: 5.215MeV
Decays to 204Pb.
Half life: 2.898 years [ Electron Capture ]
Decay Energy: 1.401MeV
Decays to 208Bi.
209Po [125 neutrons]
Abundance: synthetic
Half life: 103 years [ Alpha Decay ]
Decay Energy: 4.979MeV
Decays to 205Pb.
Half life: 103 years [ Electron Capture ]
Decay Energy: 1.893MeV
Decays to 209Bi.
210Po [126 neutrons]
Abundance: synthetic
Half life: 138.376 [ Alpha Decay ]
Decay Energy: 5.407MeV
Decays to 206.
A single gram of 210Po generates 140 watts of power. Because it emits many alpha particles, which are stopped within a very short distance in dense media and release their energy, 210Po has been used as a lightweight heat source to power thermoelectric cells in artificial satellites; for instance, 210Po heat source was also used in each of the Lunokhod rovers deployed on the surface of the Moon, to keep their internal components warm during the lunar nights.