Sources of Plutonium:
Plutonium is a synthetic element that is not found naturally on Earth. It is typically produced in nuclear reactors or through the bombardment of uranium with neutrons.
Uses of Plutonium:
Plutonium has a few practical applications, including:
Nuclear fuel: Plutonium is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors to generate electricity.
Nuclear weapons: Plutonium is used in the production of nuclear weapons.
Space exploration: Plutonium is used as a power source for some spacecraft, such as NASA's Voyager probes.
Production of Plutonium:
Plutonium is produced through the nuclear bombardment of uranium with neutrons. This process typically involves the following steps:
Target preparation: Uranium targets are prepared for irradiation in a nuclear reactor.
Irradiation: The uranium targets are irradiated with neutrons, which causes some of the uranium to undergo nuclear transmutation and produce plutonium.
Separation and purification: The plutonium is separated from the other elements produced during irradiation and purified.
Chemical Properties of Plutonium:
Plutonium is a chemical element with the symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It is a highly reactive metal that can easily form compounds with other elements. Some of the key chemical properties of plutonium include:
Oxidation states: Plutonium can exist in a wide range of oxidation states, from +3 to +7.
Radioactivity: Plutonium is highly radioactive and emits alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, which can be dangerous to human health.
Physical Properties of Plutonium:
Plutonium has a number of physical properties that make it unique, including:
State: Plutonium is a solid at room temperature.
Appearance: Plutonium has a silvery appearance, but it quickly tarnishes in air.
Density: Plutonium is a dense metal, with a density of about 19.816 g/cm3.
Radioactivity: Plutonium is highly radioactive and emits alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, which can be dangerous to human health.