Title: Chemistry for Kids: Elements - Plutonium
Headings: Elements for Kids
Elements for Kids
Plutonium

Content: This characteristic is important in nuclear reactors and nuclear explosives. Where is it found on Earth? Plutonium is an extremely rare element in the Earth's crust. It is so rare that for many years it was thought that it did not occur naturally. The main source of plutonium is from the use of uranium-238 in nuclear reactors. Large quantities are produced each year by this process. How is plutonium used today? Plutonium is used in both nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. It was used to create the second nuclear weapon deployed during World War II which was the "Fat Man" nuclear bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. Plutonium has also been used as a power and heat source for spacecraft.