Plutonium: meaning, definitions and examples
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plutonium
[ pluˈtoʊniəm ]
chemical element
Plutonium is a radioactive, silvery-gray metallic element with the symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It belongs to the actinide series and is primarily used as a nuclear fuel and in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. It was first synthesized in 1940 by a team of American chemists. Plutonium is notable for its ability to undergo fission and for its various isotopes, which have different applications in physics and engineering. Due to its toxicity and radioactivity, handling plutonium requires strict safety protocols.
Synonyms
Pu, nuclear fuel, radioactive element
Examples of usage
- Plutonium-239 is used for nuclear weapons.
- The reactor was loaded with plutonium fuel.
- Research on plutonium isotopes continues.
- Plutonium handling requires careful precautions.
Translations
Translations of the word "plutonium" in other languages:
🇵🇹 plutônio
🇮🇳 प्लूटोनियम
🇩🇪 Plutonium
🇮🇩 plutonium
🇺🇦 плутоній
🇵🇱 pluton
🇯🇵 プルトニウム
🇫🇷 plutonium
🇪🇸 plutonio
🇹🇷 plütonyum
🇰🇷 플루토늄
🇸🇦 بلوتونيوم
🇨🇿 plutonium
🇸🇰 plutónium
🇨🇳 钚
🇸🇮 plutonij
🇮🇸 plútóníum
🇰🇿 плутуний
🇬🇪 პლუტონიუმი
🇦🇿 plutonium
🇲🇽 plutonio
Etymology
The term 'plutonium' derives its name from the dwarf planet Pluto, following the tradition of naming elements after celestial bodies. The element was discovered in 1940 by Edwin McMillan and Philip H. Abelson at the University of California, Berkeley. Its creation was part of efforts to explore the possibilities of transuranium elements, which are elements with atomic numbers greater than uranium. The first isotope of plutonium, plutonium-238, was synthesized during this initial research. In the years that followed, the element was crucial to the development of nuclear energy and atomic weapons due to its fissionable properties. Plutonium's significance in military and civilian applications has positioned it as a focus of study in nuclear science, especially in light of its long half-lives and potential environmental impacts. Over time, the understanding of plutonium's chemistry and physics has evolved, leading to its use in various nuclear technologies and concerns regarding its proliferation and safety.