plutonium

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Related to plutonium: plutonium 239

plutonium

(Pu) [ploo-to´ne-um]

a chemical element, atomic number 94, atomic weight 242. (See Appendix 6.)

plu·to·ni·um (Pu),

(plū-tō'nē-ŭm),

A transuranium artificial radioactive element, atomic no. 94, atomic wt. 244.064. The best-known α-emitting isotope is ²³⁹Pu (half-life 24,110 years) which, like ²³⁵U, is fissionable and can be used in atomic bombs and nuclear power plants; ²³⁸Pu (half-life 87.74 years) is used as an energy source in pacemakers. Pu ions are bone-seekers; ingestion is a radiation hazard, as with radium and radiostrontium.

[planet, Pluto]

plutonium

/plu·to·ni·um/ (Pu) (ploo-to´ne-um) chemical element, at. no. 94.

plutonium (Pu)

[plo̅o̅tō′nē·əm]

Etymology: planet Pluto

a synthetic transuranic metallic element. Its atomic number is 94; the atomic mass of its longest-lived isotope is 242. A highly toxic heavy metal, plutonium is used in nuclear power plants, and was used in the assembly of early nuclear weapons.

plu·to·ni·um

(Pu) (plū-tō'nē-ŭm)

A transuranium artificial radioactive element, atomic no. 94, atomic wt. 244.064. The best-known α-emitting isotope is ²³⁹Pu (half-life 24,110 years), which, like ²³⁵U, is fissionable and can be used in atomic bombs and nuclear power plants; ²³⁸Pu (half-life 87.74 years) is used as an energy source in pacemakers. Pu ions are bone seekers; ingestion is a radiation hazard as with radium and radiostrontium.

[planet, Pluto]

plutonium

A highly poisonous, radioactive metallic element produced from uranium in atomic breeder reactors and used as a fissile element in nuclear weapons. Plutonium concentrates in the bones where it remains for many years.

plutonium

a chemical element, atomic number 94, atomic weight 242, symbol Pu. See Table 6.

References in periodicals archive ?

Moreover, the argument that the utility of that reactor-grade plutonium fuel in a nuclear warhead is not possible in India's case is surprising, as India has all three components required to produce more nuclear weapons; capability, intent and financing.

Duplicity in non-proliferation norms

The statement said, "The United States remains fully committed to verifiably disposing of our surplus plutonium.

Future of MOX is uncertain but optimistic

He also argued that the policy change would give Washington "return potential", or a chance to recycle the material back into the weapons-grade plutonium.

Russia halts plutonium deal with United States

html) unilaterally changed its policy of plutonium disposal from mixed oxide nuclear fuel to dilute-and-dispose.

Russia Suspends Plutonium Disposal Deal With US

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has issued a policy statement calling on the government to push forward with the development of a fast reactor programme by committing to pay for the disposition of the plutonium stockpile in an operational reactor.

Prism nuclear design 'credible'

5 tons of plutonium in fiscal 2015 or later at 16-18 reactors.

Japanese utilities unable to devise plan on use of plutonium

The United States and its allies worry about the plutonium reactor at Arak, southwest of Tehran.

US, Israel concerned about Iran plutonium reactor

In late March, plutonium and strontium isotopes were reportedly found in soil at Fukushima No.

Plutonium traces found outside Fukushima nuke plant compound

So if plutonium has emerged from the reactor, that tells us something about the damage to the fuel.

Plutonium find at Japan nuclear plant

Over a third of the energy produced in most nuclear power plants comes from plutonium.

CHEMICALS POSE DEADLY HAZARD

Israel=92s top-secret air raid on Syria in September destroyed a bomb facto= ry assembling warheads fuelled by North Korean plutonium, a leading Israeli= nuclear expert has told The Sunday Times.

Report: Israel's Syrian Bombing Hit Nuclear Bombs

THE UK has stockpiled enough highly toxic plutonium to make more than 16,000 nuclear bombs.