Pu
244.000Plutonium
Plütonyum
Plutonium is a radioactive actinide with atomic number 94. It is known for plutonium-239 nuclear weapons and MOX fuel, plutonium-238 radioisotope power systems, actinide chemistry and nuclear waste management.
94
244 g/mol
[Rn] 5f⁶ 7s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 32 | 24 | 8 | 2
1.28
19.816 g/cm³
639.4 °C
3231.8 °C
Glenn T. Seaborg
Plutonium was synthesized in 1940-1941 by Glenn Seaborg, Edwin McMillan, Joseph Kennedy and Arthur Wahl. Plutonium-239 became a central material in the Manhattan Project and the Fat Man bomb used at Nagasaki.
Plutonium-238
Half-life: About 87.7 years. Alpha-emitting isotope used as a heat source in RTGs and radioisotope power systems.Plutonium-239
Half-life: About 24,110 years. Fissile isotope used in nuclear weapons and reactor fuel contexts.Plutonium-240
Half-life: About 6,560 years. Spontaneous fission makes it important in reactor-grade plutonium and safeguards.PuO₂
Plutonium(IV) OxideMOX fuel component and Pu-238 RTG ceramic fuel form.Pu(NO₃)₄
Plutonium(IV) NitrateSolution chemistry in nuclear fuel reprocessing research.PuF₆
Plutonium HexafluorideVolatile plutonium compound studied in separation chemistry.- Plutonium-239 in nuclear weapons and some reactor fuel cycles
- Mixed oxide fuel, or MOX fuel, made from plutonium oxide and uranium oxide
- Plutonium-238 dioxide heat sources for spacecraft radioisotope power systems
- Nuclear forensics, safeguards and long-term waste management research
Plutonium has no biological role and is highly radiotoxic if inhaled or ingested. Its alpha-emitting isotopes can deposit in bone and liver, requiring strict containment and safeguards.
- Pu-238 is chosen for many spacecraft power systems because it produces steady heat for decades.
- Pu-239 can sustain a fast-neutron chain reaction and is a major fissile isotope in nuclear weapons.
- Plutonium has complex allotropes and unusual metal behavior because of its 5f electrons.
- Managing separated plutonium is both a nuclear energy issue and a nuclear security issue.
- Plutonium has atomic number 94 and symbol Pu.
- Its electron configuration is [Rn] 5f⁶ 7s².
- Pu-239 is fissile; Pu-238 is used mainly as a heat source.
- Remember plutonium for nuclear weapons, MOX fuel, RTGs and safeguards.
What is the atomic number of plutonium?
The atomic number of plutonium is 94.
What is the electron configuration of plutonium?
Plutonium has the electron configuration [Rn] 5f⁶ 7s².
What is plutonium used for?
Plutonium is used in nuclear weapons, some nuclear fuel cycles, RTG heat sources and nuclear research.
What is plutonium-238 used for?
Plutonium-238 is used as a heat source in radioisotope power systems for spacecraft and remote systems.
What is plutonium-239?
Plutonium-239 is a fissile isotope with a half-life of about 24,110 years, important in nuclear weapons and fuel.
What is MOX fuel?
MOX fuel is mixed oxide nuclear fuel made from uranium oxide and plutonium oxide.