| Symbol |
Name |
Atomic
Number |
Atomic
Weight |
Group
Number |
| Pu |
Plutonium |
94 |
244 |
|
Description
Standard State: Solid at 298 K
Color: Silvery white
Plutonium was the second transuranium element of the actinide series to be discovered.
The isotope 238Pu was produced by Seaborg, McMillan,
Kennedy, and Wahl by deuteron bombardment of uranium in the 60-inch cyclotron at
Berkeley, California. Plutonium also exists is trace quantities in naturally occurring uranium ores.
Plutonium has been used in the Apollo lunar missions to power seismic and other equipment
on the lunar surface. Plutonium can be prepared by the reduction of trifluoride with
the alkaline-earth metals. Plutonium is very dangerous because it is a radiological
hazard. Precautions must be taken to prevent the unintentional formation of a
critical mass.
|