Discovered : by Glenn Seaborg and co-workers in 1940
Isolated in Berkeley, California, USA
Origin : The element is named after the planet Pluto.
Description :
A man-made, radioactive silvery metal extracted in tonnes from spent nuclear fuel rods. In its turn, it can also be used as a nuclear fuel and in nuclear weapons. It is dangerously radioactive and the 244Pu isotope has a half-life of thousands of years.
Image :
Shiva - Hindu deity - "I am born the creator and destroyer of mankind." Click here to see larger version of this image.
Plutonium animation - click the icon above for viewing instructions. QuickTime Player required.
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