plutonium [Pu]
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Introduction
Named after the planet Pluto. Discovered in 1940 by Glenn T Seaborg & colleagues in Berkeley, California; results were classified until 1946.
Occurrence
- found in minute quantities in uranium ore (pitchblende)
Characteristics
- a radioactive metallic element similar chemically to uranium (a large piece will boil water)
- formed as the isotope 239 by decay of neptunium
- plutonium undergoes slow disintegration with the emission of a helium nucleus to form uranium-235
- it is fissionable with slow neutrons to yield atomic energy
Uses
- nuclear explosions
- nuclear fuel