Plutonium
By Declan McCarthy
94
Pu
Plutonium
244
Plutonium
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Properties
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Density = 19.8 grams per ml
Melting Point = 913° K
Ionization Potential = 6.06
Volts
Boiling Point = 3503° K
Standard state: solid at 298 K
Color: silvery white
Classification: Metallic
Plutonium has 15 isotopes
with atomic weights ranging
from 232 to 246. Isotopes of
the same element have the
same number of protons in
their nuclei but differ by the
number of neutrons.
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Uses
 Nuclear Weapons: 1 kg
produces an explosion equal
to about 20,000 tons of
chemical explosives
 Source of Nuclear Power: 1 kg
gives 22 million kilowatt hours
of heat energy
 Pacemakers
 The isotope 233Pu was used in
the American Apollo lunar
missions to power equipment
on the surface of the moon.
 It now finds its best use in
deep space probe electricity
sources .
Origin and Naming of Plutonium
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The isotope Pu-238 was first produced by Seaborg, McMillan,
Kennedy, and Wahl by deuteron bombardment of uranium in a
cyclotron at the University of California (made in a nuclear reactor).
It is formed in much the same manner as neptunium, by irradiation
of natural uranium with the neutrons which are present.
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Plutonium also exists in trace quantities in naturally occurring
uranium ores.
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The discoverers decided to name the element plutonium, just like
uranium is named after Uranus, neptunium by McMillan and
Abelson after Neptune, and so they decided to name it plutonium.
Seaborg said, “We should have named it plutium, but we liked
plutonium better. It just sounded better. And the symbol obviously
should have been Pl, but we liked Pu better so we gave it the symbol
Pu.”
Plutonium
(To the tune of “Amazing Grace”)
Plutonium, how sweet you sound, But what a threat you’ll be.
You once were made by scientists, In Berkeley’s laboratory.
Plutonium was made for good, But some uses are bad.
It’s used to power reactors, But one more use is sad.
Plutonium is in weapons, That could destroy the Earth.
It’s also used to power things, That have a greater worth.
Plutonium in pacemakers, Helps slowly beating hearts.
Another use is in deep space, For power to explore these parts.
“Plutonium” has quite the sound, From Pluto came its name.
It’s symbol is “P-u”, oh, no! And that is somewhat lame.
Sources
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http://chemlab.pc.maricopa.edu/periodic/Pu.html
http://www.britannica.com/nobel/micro/472_22.html
http://www.ieer.org/fctsheet/pu-props.html
http://www-library.lbl.gov/Seaborg/65th-anniv/14.html
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/feb99/91886961
9.Ph.r.html
http://www.scescape.net/~woods/elements/plutonium.
html
http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/t
ext/Pu/econ.html