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Plutonium - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Plutonium : (noun)
1: a solid silvery gray radioactive transuranic element whose
atoms can be split when bombarded with neutrons; found in
minute quantities in uranium ores but is usually
synthesized in nuclear reactors; 13 isotopes are known
with the most important being plutonium 239 [syn: Pu, atomic
number 94]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Plutonium : Symbol: Pu
Atomic number: 94
Atomic weight: (242)
Dense silvery radioactive metallic transuranic element, belongs to the
actinoids. Pu-244 is the most stable isotope with a half-life of 7.6*10^7
years. Thirteen isotopes are known. Pu-239 is the most important, it
undergoes nuclear fission with slow neutrons and is hence important to
nuclear weapons and reactors. Plutonium production is monitored down to
the gram to prevent military misuse. First produced by Gleen T. Seaborg,
Edwin M. McMillan, J.W. Kennedy and A.C. Wahl in 1940.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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