What is Plutonium? Origin / Meaning of the name Plutonium
The name originates from the the planet Pluto because it is the next planet in the solar system beyond the planet Neptune and the element plutonium is the next element in the period table beyond neptunium.

What is Plutonium? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Plutonium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Plutonium is classified as an element in the Actinide series as one of the "Rare Earth Elements" which can located in Group 3 elements of the Periodic Table and in the 6th and 7th periods. The Rare Earth Elements are of the Lanthanide and Actinide series. Most of the elements in the Actinide series are synthetic or man-made. Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as metals which are detailed in the List of Metals.

Facts about the Discovery and History of the Plutonium Element
Plutonium was discovered by Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, Edwin M. McMillan, J. W. Kennedy, and A. C. Wahl in 1940 in the USA.

Glenn T. Seaborg
The American scientist Glenn T. Seaborg (1912 - 1999) won the 1951 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for "discoveries in the chemistry of the transuranium elements". Glenn Seaborg contributed to the discovery and isolation of ten elements: plutonium, americium, curium, berkelium, californium, einsteinium, fermium, mendelevium, nobelium and element 106, which was named seaborgium in his honor whilst he was still living. Glenn Seaborg also developed the actinide concept, which led to the current arrangement of the actinoid series in the periodic table of the elements.

Glenn Seaborg (1912 - 1999)

What is Plutonium? Occurrence of the Plutonium Element
Manufactured synthetically
Found naturally in uranium ores

Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe N/A
% in Sun None
% in Meteorites None
% in Earth's Crust None
% in Oceans None
% in Humans None

Associated Uses of Plutonium
Radiological weapons
Poison
Electrical power generation

What is Plutonium? The Properties of the Plutonium Element
Name of Element : Plutonium
Symbol: Pu
Atomic Number: 94
Atomic Mass: (244.0) amu
Melting Point: 639.5 °C - 912.65 °K
Boiling Point: 3235.0 °C - 3508.15 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons: 94
Number of Neutrons: 150
Crystal Structure: Monoclinic
Density @ 293 K: 19.84 g/cm3
Color: Unknown

Plutonium as on the Periodic Table
Check out Plutonium on the Periodic Table which arranges each chemical element according to its atomic number, as based on the Periodic Law, so that chemical elements with similar properties are in the same column. Our Periodic Table is simple to use - just click on the symbol for Plutonium as on the Periodic Table for additional information and for an instant comparison of the Atomic Weight, Melting Point, Boiling Point and Mass - G/cc with any other element. An invaluable source of facts and information as a Chemistry reference guide.

What is Plutonium - IUPAC and the Modern Standardised Periodic Table
The Standardised Periodic Table in use today was agreed by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry, IUPAC, in 1985 and now recognises more periods and elements than Dimitri  Mendeleev knew in his day in his day but still all fitting into his concept of  the "Periodic Table" in which Plutonium is just one element that can be found.

Learn about what is Plutonium with these fast facts...
These articles contain facts and information relating to Plutonium and each of the other elements including the Periodic Symbol,  group, classification, properties and atomic number which is often referred to as the Periodic Table Number. Test your knowledge of chemistry and the Periodic Table by completing the Element Symbols and Atomic Numbers on our Blank Periodic Table. Chemistry students will also find a helpful section on Chemical Formulas.