The Element Plutonium

Atom

"The Atom"

What is Plutonium as on the Periodic Table? Definition of the Plutonium Element
A radioactive metallic element similar chemically to uranium that is formed as the isotope 239 by decay of neptunium and found in minute quantities in pitchblende, that undergoes slow disintegration with the emission of an alpha particle to form uranium 235. It is fissionable with slow neutrons to yield atomic energy.

A relatively large piece of plutonium is warm to the touch because of the energy given off in alpha decay. Larger pieces of plutonium will produce enough heat to boil water. The Atomic Number of this element is 94 and the Element Symbol is Pu.

The Properties of the Plutonium Element
Symbol: Pu
Atomic Number: 94
Atomic Mass: (244.0) amu
Melting Point: 639.5 °C - 912.65 °K
Boiling Point: 3235.0 °C - 3508.15 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons: 94
Number of Neutrons: 150
Crystal Structure: Monoclinic
Density @ 293 K: 19.84 g/cm3
Color: Unknown

What is Plutonium? Origin / Meaning of the name Plutonium
The name originates from the the planet Pluto because it is the next planet in the solar system beyond the planet Neptune and the element plutonium is the next element in the period table beyond neptunium.

What is Plutonium? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Plutonium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Plutonium is classified as an element in the Actinide series as one of the "Rare Earth Elements" which can located in Group 3 elements of the Periodic Table and in the 6th and 7th periods. The Rare Earth Elements are of the Lanthanide and Actinide series. Most of the elements in the Actinide series are synthetic or man-made. Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as metals which are detailed in the List of Metals.

Facts about the Discovery and History of the Plutonium Element
Plutonium was discovered by Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, Edwin M. McMillan, J. W. Kennedy, and A. C. Wahl in 1940 in the USA.

Glenn T. Seaborg
The American scientist Glenn T. Seaborg (1912 - 1999) won the 1951 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for "discoveries in the chemistry of the transuranium elements". Glenn Seaborg contributed to the discovery and isolation of ten elements: plutonium, americium, curium, berkelium, californium, einsteinium, fermium, mendelevium, nobelium and element 106, which was named seaborgium in his honor whilst he was still living. Glenn Seaborg also developed the actinide concept, which led to the current arrangement of the actinoid series in the periodic table of the elements.

What is Plutonium? Occurrence of the Plutonium Element
Manufactured synthetically
Found naturally in uranium ores

Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe N/A
% in Sun None
% in Meteorites None
% in Earth's Crust None
% in Oceans None
% in Humans None

Associated Uses of Plutonium
Radiological weapons
Poison
Electrical power generation