Pu

Plutonium

Actinide

Plutonium is a silvery-gray actinide metal that is highly radioactive and toxic. It is primarily produced artificially in nuclear reactors and has been used in nuclear weapons.

Key Facts

Atomic Number
94
Atomic Weight
244
State
Solid
Half-life
24,100 years (Pu-239)
Discovered
1940
Glenn T. Seaborg, Edwin McMillan, Joseph W. Kennedy, Arthur Wahl

Overview

Description

Plutonium is a silvery-gray actinide metal that is highly radioactive and toxic. It is primarily produced artificially in nuclear reactors and has been used in nuclear weapons.

Discovery

Plutonium was discovered in 1940 by Glenn T. Seaborg, Edwin McMillan, Joseph W. Kennedy, Arthur Wahl.