Plutonium is a radioactive, silvery, metal, transuranium chemical element. It is designated by the Pu badge, and its atomic number 94. Chemical element was discovered in 1940 and called in honor of the planet Pluto.
Main characteristics of plutonium
There are 15 known isotopes of plutonium. The most important of them – Pu-239 with a half-life period of 24360 years. The specific mass of plutonium is 19.84 at a temperature of 25 wasps. Metal begins to melt at a temperature of 641 wasps, begins to boil at 3232 OS. Its valency happens 3, 4, 5 or 6.
At metal a silvery shade, and it turns yellow in interaction with oxygen. Plutonium – chemical reactive metal is also easily dissolved in the concentrated hydrochloric acid, in chloric acid, in iodide and hydrogen acid. At alpha decay, metal emits energy of heat.
Plutonium - the transuranium actinide discovered by the second. In the nature this metal can be found in small amounts in uranichesky ores.
The interesting facts about plutonium
Plutonium is poisonous and demands the accurate address. The most split isotope of plutonium was used as the reactor in nuclear weapon. In particular, it was applied in a bomb which was dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. It is the radioactive poison collecting in marrow. When carrying out experiments with people for studying plutonium there were several accidents, some to a lethal outcome. It is important that plutonium did not reach critical weight. In water solution plutonium forms critical weight quicker, than in a firm state. Atomic number 94 means that all atoms of plutonium have 94 protons. On air on the surface of metal plutonium oxide is formed. This pyrophoric oxide therefore the smoldering plutonium will flicker as ashes. There are six allotropic forms of plutonium. The seventh form appears at high temperatures. In water solution plutonium changes color. On the surface of metal various shades in process of its oxidation appear. Process of oxidation is unstable, and color of plutonium can suddenly change. Unlike the majority of substances, plutonium is condensed when melts. In the melted state this element more viscous, than other metals. Metal is applied in radioactive isotopes in thermoelectric generators on which spaceships work. In medicine it is applied by production of electronic stimulators to heart. Steam inhalation of plutonium is hazardous to health. In certain cases it can provoke lung cancer. At the inhaled plutonium metal smack.