Instructional Video

Polonium

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Polonium is the first element Marie Curie ever discovered. Best known for atomic weapons and international murders, polonium's short half-life often creates problems. Viewers learn about the properties, applications, and debates surrounding this element, which stars in the 84th video in a series of 118 on each of the chemical elements.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Learn more about why Marie Curie named this element after Poland, as she did it as a political statement
  • Research and debate if polonium is a metal or metalloid element, as not all scientists agree
Classroom Considerations
  • Relies on prior knowledge of the first generation of atomic bombs
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • Includes closed captioning for the hearing impaired
  • Connects history, geography, science, and technology
Cons
  • None