Final answer:
Polonium crystallizes in a simple cubic structure with a coordination number of six, where each atom is surrounded by six others, and this arrangement fills only 52% of the volume, making it an inefficient packing structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polonium (Po) is unique among metals as it crystallizes in a simple cubic structure. In this lattice arrangement, each polonium atom is in contact with six other atoms, leading to a coordination number of six. These contacts include four neighboring atoms in the same plane, one directly above, and one directly below. This simple cubic array does not allow for the closest packing of atoms, filling only about 52% of the volume within the crystalline solid, which is considered a relatively inefficient arrangement. The properties of polonium's crystalline structure are a direct result of these atomic arrangements.
Understanding metallic crystalline structures, such as that of polonium, provides insight into the physical properties of these materials. In the broader context, over 90% of solids are crystalline, with efficiencies of packing and arrangement influencing their overall properties. The arrangement of particles within a solid, such as polonium, maximizes attractive interactions and minimizes intermolecular energy, highlighting the importance of regular atomic arrangements at both microscopic and macroscopic levels.