Title: Plutonium
Headings: Plutonium Element Facts
Plutonium Element Facts
Pu
Data Zone
A plutonium ‘button.’ Photo: Department of Energy
Discovery of Plutonium
Dr. Doug Stewart
Appearance and Characteristics
Harmful effects:
Characteristics:
Uses of Plutonium
Abundance and Isotopes
References
Cite this Page

Content: It owes its long life to radioisotope thermoelectric generators; these generate electricity from heat flowing from plutonium-238’s radioactive decay. Image: NASA. Radioactive decay of plutonium-238. Each decay produces uranium-234, an alpha-particle and a large amount of energy. Image: NASA. The separation of uranium from plutonium. Appearance and Characteristics
Harmful effects: