On the periodic table, polonium was named after Poland, the homeland of Marie Curie.
Marie Curie and Pierre Curie discovered polonium in 1898 while investigating pitchblende residues. Marie Curie chose the name polonium to draw attention to Poland, which at that time was partitioned between neighboring empires and did not exist as an independent state. The discovery helped establish the existence of a new radioactive element.
Polonium has atomic number 84 and symbol Po. It is a highly radioactive metalloid found naturally in uranium ores in very small quantities. Its intense radioactivity makes it dangerous if it enters the body, although controlled radioactive sources have had specialized industrial and scientific uses.
Polonium is often confused with curium because both names honor people connected with the Curies. Curium, atomic number 96, was named directly for Marie and Pierre Curie. Polonium instead refers to Marie Curie’s country of birth and national identity.