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: 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: Plutonium-239 gathered from dismounted nuclear weapons as well as from nuclear reactors is an important source of energy to generate electricity. Almost around 10 million kilowatt-hours of electricity are produced by one kilogram of Pu-239. Almost one-third of the energy that is produced in a commercial atomic power plant comes from plutonium fissions. The fission reaction of Plutonium-239 can be held in the same fuel rods where it is produced. Small portions of Pu-239 can be added to newly-manufactured nuclear fuel to produce MOX fuel or mixed oxide fuel, which contains a combination of plutonium oxide and uranium oxide.