🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Plutonium
• Discovered By: Glenn T. Seaborg, Edwin McMillan, Joseph W. Kennedy, Arthur C. Wahl
• Year of Discovery: 1940
• Category: Actinide Series / Radioactive Metal
• Group: Actinides (no formal group number)
• State at Room Temperature: Solid 🧊

Plutonium is a silvery-gray radioactive metal used mainly in nuclear reactors and weapons. It is man-made but also found in tiny amounts in nature.

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Pu
• Atomic Number: 94
• Atomic Mass: ~244 u (most common isotope Pu-244)
• Valency: +3, +4, +5, +6 (commonly +4 and +6)
• Electronic Configuration: [Rn] 5f⁶ 7s²

Plutonium can exist in several different oxidation states, making its chemistry complex and interesting.

📘 Basic Things to Know

Named after the dwarf planet Pluto, Plutonium follows Uranium and Neptunium in the periodic table, continuing the theme of naming elements after planets 🌌.

🤔 Interesting Facts

• Key material used in nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors
• Plutonium-239 isotope is fissile, meaning it can sustain a nuclear chain reaction ⚛️
• Has a half-life of about 24,100 years, so it stays radioactive for a very long time
• Used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) to power spacecraft like the Voyager probes 🚀
• Highly toxic and radioactive, requiring careful handling and storage ☢️

🔧 Common Uses

✔️ Nuclear Energy:
Used as fuel in fast breeder reactors and other nuclear reactors to produce energy

✔️ Nuclear Weapons:
Essential for the core of atomic bombs due to its fission properties

✔️ Space Exploration:
Pu-238 powers spacecraft and Mars rovers through radioisotope thermoelectric generators

📚 Conclusion

Plutonium is a powerful, radioactive metal that plays a vital role in energy production and defense. It teaches students about nuclear chemistry, energy, and the impact of science on world history — showing both the power and responsibility that come with advanced technology. 🌍⚛️