This essay is about the element Plutonium. It describes the history, the uses-past and future, all isotopes of this material, apperance, electron configuration, and the half life.
Date Submitted: 12/01/2003 00:18:23
Plutonium is a radioactive, silvery metal that yellows when exposed to oxygen. It is represented on the Periodic Table of Elements by the symbol "Pu". Plutonium is one of the transuranium elements in the actinide series of the Periodic Table. Its atomic number is 94. Plutonium has an atomic mass of 244 and a density of 298K. Pu melts at 914 degrees Kelvin. Its valence number is 2, and it has a relative electro negativity of 1.28. Plutonium has many
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causes it to add extra protons to the atoms. In some countries, the plutonium is refined and used in nuclear power plants, because it is unstable and prime for atomic fusion purposes. In a nuclear power plant, the plutonium produces heat because of its radioactivity which in turn boils water, that then moves turbines that produce electricity. The amount of heat produced is regulated with graphite rods, which in turn keeps the plant from exploding.
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