Title: Plutonium-239 Production, Properties, Half-Life, Decay, Uses
Headings: Plutonium-239
Plutonium-239
Plutonium-239 Nucleus
Plutonium-239 Symbol
Production of Plutonium-239
Plutonium-239 Properties
Appearance
Critical Mass
Critical Diameter
Isotope Mass
Decay Mode
Decay Energy
Branching Ratio
Daughter Nuclide
Magnetic Dipole Moment
Specific Activity
Solubility
Plutonium-239 Half-Life
Plutonium-239 Radioactive Decay
Plutonium-239 Decay Equation
Plutonium-239 Decay Chain
Plutonium-239 Fission Reaction
Plutonium-239 Uses
Plutonium-239 Contamination and Health Risks
Pu-239 Alpha Radiation Effects
Pu-239 Effects in Human Body
References:

Content: Helium here denotes the alpha particle. Hence this equation can also be written as
94239 Pu → 92235 U + α
Plutonium-239 Decay Chain
The decay process of Plutonium-239 produces Uranium-235 as the daughter nuclide. Lead -207 is the stable element produced at the end of this Alpha decay chain. The complete decay chain is expressed in the following reaction: Plutonium-239 → Uranium-235 → Thorium -231 → Protactinium -231 → Actinium -227 → Thorium-227 → Radium -233 → Radon -219 → Polonium -215 → Lead-211 → Bismuth -211 → Thallium -207 → Lead-207
Plutonium-239 Fission Reaction
Plutonium-239 undergoes fission reaction when it is bombarded by fast or slow neutrons. When a slow neutron is absorbed by this isotope, the fissile reaction produces more than two neutrons. A continuous chain reaction is initiated in case one of these resultant neutrons breaks down another plutonium nucleus. Plutonium-239 Uses
Plutonium-239 with high levels of purity can be produced in large quantities. Due to its properties, it is extensively used in nuclear power reactors and in the production of nuclear weapons. The various uses of Pu-239 are discussed below: