A heavy, fissionable, radioactive, metallic element (atomic number 94). Plutonium occurs in nature in trace amounts. It can also be produced as a byproduct of the fission reaction in a uranium-fueled nuclear reactor and can be recovered for future use.
A radioactive element with the atomic number 94 and an average atomic weight of 244.
A silvery-white radioactive metal that exists as a solid under normal conditions. It is produced when uranium absorbs a neutron. Small amounts of plutonium occur in nature, but large amounts have been artificially produced in nuclear reactors. Hanford produced plutonium for use in nuclear weapons. Most forms of plutonium have very long half-lives. For example, plutonium 239 (which Hanford produced) has a half-life of 24,100 years. Plutonium can cause cancer.
A very heavy element formed when uranium-238 absorbs neutrons. Like uranium, it has two principal isotopes that are fissile.
A highly toxic, heavy, radioactive metallic element. There are 15 isotopes of plutonium, of which only five are produced in significant quantities: plutonium-238, -239, -240, -241, and -242. Plutonium-239 is the most important plutonium isotope as it is fissile and is used in nuclear weapons and some reactors. One the other hand, plutonium-240 is unsuitable for use in nuclear weapons and reactor fuel. Thus, in a reactor whose main purpose is plutonium production, the rate at which plutonium-240 is formed controls the length of time fuel is allowed to remain under irradiation. Plutonium is categorized according to plutonium-240 content, as follows: super-grade has 2-3% Pu-240; weapons-grade has less than 7% Pu-240; fuel-grade has 7-18 (or sometimes given as 7-19) % Pu-240; and reactor-grade has 18 or greater (or 19 or greater) % Pu-240. (Note: Despite what the name implies, "reactor-grade" plutonium has been used successfully to make a nuclear bomb.)
A metallic by-product of nuclear fission of uranium. It is formed by the capture of a neutron by atoms of uranium-238. Plutonium also fissions and hence can be recycled as fuel either in the same type of reactor as it was produced or in future fast breeder reactors. The PWR produces plutonium more slowly than the Magnox reactor.
a human-made radioactive element heavier than uranium. Plutonium-239 is the plutonium isotope commonly used in nuclear weapons; it emits highly dangerous alpha radiation and has a halflife of 24,000 years.
A heavy, man-made, radioactive metallic element. The most important isotope is Plutonium-239, which is the primary isotope used in nuclear weapons. Plutonium can also be used for reactor fuel.
A radioactive metal that is used in nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors.
a solid silvery gray radioactive transuranic element whose atoms can be split when bombarded with neutrons; found in minute quantities in uranium ores but is usually synthesized in nuclear reactors; 13 isotopes are known with the most important being plutonium 239
a heavy, man-made, radioactive metallic element. The most important isotope is Pu-239, which has a half-life of 24,000 years. Pu-239 can be used in reactor fuel and is the primary isotope in weapons. One kilogram is equivalent to about 22 million kilowatt-hours of heat energy. The complete detonation of a kilogram of plutonium produces an explosion equal to about 20,000 tons of chemical explosive. All isotopes of plutonium are readily absorbed by the bones and can be lethal depending on the dose and exposure time.
An artificially produced element that is fissile and radioactive. It is created when an atom of uranium-238 captures a slow neutron in its nucleus.
A transuranic, heavy (average atomic mass about 244 atomic mass units), silvery metal with 15 isotopes that is produced by the neutron irradiation of natural uranium. Plutonium-239 is used both in nuclear weapons and commercial nuclear power applications. Plutonium-238 is used to power onboard generators during manned and unmanned space flights.
An artificial radioactive isotope that can be fabricated into nuclear fuel and fissioned in a reactor to produce energy. Some plutonium isotopes also can be used in nuclear weapons.. Others can't.
A radioactive metallic element chemically similar to uranium.
a largely man-made element produced artificially by neutron bombardment of uranium; the most abundant isotope 239Pu is used as a reactor fuel and in the construction of nuclear weapons.
A highly toxic radioactive metallic element with a half-life of 24,000 years. Plutonium-239 is an isotope of plutonium used in nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors. Plutonium emits primarily alpha particles, which cannot penetrate the skin. The small amount of neutrons and gamma photons emitted can penetrate the body but it takes a large exposure to be dangerous. The danger from plutonium occurs when it enters the body. When inhaled or absorbed into the body it is highly toxic. Plutonium metal exposed to the air oxidizes into plutonium oxide, a powdery substance that is easily dispersed. Plutonium oxide can be ingested in food or water, is inhaled and can be absorbed; it lodges in the alveoli of the lung or may end up in the liver or bone. Little data exists on effects of exposure in humans or animals. In 1991, the White Office of Science & Technology Policy released a statement on plutonium stating: "...sufficient human data are not available to provide accurate risk assessment of exposure."
A manmade fissile element. Pure plutonium is a silvery metal that is heavier (for a given volume) than lead. Material rich in the plutonium-239 isotope is preferred for manufacturing nuclear weapons. Plutonium-239 has a half-life of 24,000 years.
Plutonium is a heavy metal that does not exist naturally. It is produced as a by-product of the fission process in a nuclear reactor. Photograph
A naturally radioactive, metallic transuranic element, occurring in minute quantities in uranium ores or produced artificially by neutron bombardment of uranium.
An artificially produced radioactive element. It is used in nuclear bombs.
A transuranic element, formed in a nuclear reactor by neutron capture. It has several isotopes, some of which are fissile and some of which undergo spontaneous fission, releasing neutrons. Weapons-grade plutonium is produced in special reactors to give 90% Pu-239, reactor-grade plutonium contains about 30% non-fissile isotopes. About one third of the energy in a light water reactor comes from the fission of Pu-239, and this is the main isotope of value recovered from reprocessing used fuel.
a heavy, radioactive, man-made, metallic element (atomic number 94) used in the production of nuclear energy and the explosion of nuclear weapons; its most important isotope is fissile plutonium-239, produced by neutron irradiation of uranium-238. Go to Top
A radioactive element used as a raw material in the manufacture of nuclear weapons; a waste product of processes yielding atomic energy.
